An architecture competition that promotes equality and combats discrimination. The winning project will be built in southern Senegal.
Rural development, the breaking down of barriers, a reduction in inequality, and the creation of a sustainable and stable environment all depend on the hard work which every member of society invests, both directly and indirectly, in the collective. Gender equality is crucial to the construction of an equitable society in which everyone, on the basis of their background and resources, can make a fundamental contribution to sustainable development.
The “Kaira Looro Competition” is an international architecture competition for students and young architects, the objective of which is to launch the careers of new architectural talent, raise awareness in the international community regarding the topics of emergency, and support humanitarian projects. Partners of the 2021 edition include international institutions from the “Gender Equality” sector, among which: iWGDD of Africa Union Commission, UN Women West and Central Africa e il Ministry of
Women of the Republic of Senegal.
Architects, designers, engineers, and students from around the world may participate in the competition. It is possible to participate in the competition individually or in teams, with one requirement: the presence of individuals under 35 years of age on the team. The entries received will be evaluated by a jury made up of prominent architects and institutions, among which: Kengo Kuma (Kengo Kuma & Associates), Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Miralles Tagliabue), Urko Sanchez ( Urko Sanchez Architects), Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA), Oulimata Sarr (Regional Director of UN Women West and Central Africa), Lehau Victoria Maloka ( Director of Women Gender and Development Directorate of African Union Commission ), Salimata Diop Dieng ( Minister of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection of Senegal), Azzurra Muzzonigro (Sex and the City).
Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, 2 honourable mentions, 2 special mentions, 20 finalists, and 20 Top 50. The winning project will receive a cash prize (5.000 €) and an internship at Kengo Kuma & Associates studio in Japan, as well as the construction of the project and its adoption on the part of the Ministry at the national level. The other internships will be awarded to the 2nd place team at the EMBT Miralles Tagliabue studio in Spain and to the 3rd place at the SBGA Blengini Ghiradelli Archtiects in Italy. Furthermore, all of the projects will be published on the competition’s website and in its official book, transmitted to 30 of the competition’s global media partners, and shared with institutional partners.
The WOMEN’S HOUSE, the object of this new edition, will be built in a small village in southern Senegal in order to promote gender equality as a key factor in rural development. This structure must be symbolic, environmentally friendly, inspired by local traditions, and capable of accommodating training events, seminars, and laboratories that raise awareness in the rural community regarding human rights and gender equality as the fifth fundamental objective of the “Sustainable Development Goals” established by the United Nations for the purpose of guaranteeing that everyone receive equal access to education, medical care, and employment, as well as a say in decision making processes, thereby promoting sustainable economies which are a benefit to society and humanity and as a whole.
The challenge which participants will have to face is that of designing a humanitarian structure in which the various members of society will be able to meet and discuss the topics of equality and human rights:
a space measuring a maximum of 150 square meters, with only a ground floor, built with natural materials and using sustainable technologies in a process of self-construction with the benefiting community itself.
The competition is organised by the Balouo Salo Non Profit Organisation, engaged in charitable projects in Africa, and all proceeds (obtained from the participation fees) will be donated to the construction of the winning project in a village in southern Senegal, where the organisation itself operates.
Enrolment in the competition begins on 16 January 2021. The calendar will adhere to the following
stages.
Registration
Opening of “early” registrations | 16/01/2021
Closing of “early” registrations | 02/28/2021 (h 11.59 pm GMT)
Opening of “normal” registrations | 1/03/2021
Closing of “normal” registrations | 28/03/2021 (h 11.59 pm GMT)
Opening of “late” registrations | 29/03/2021
Late registration closing | 30/04/2021 (h 11.59 pm GMT)
FAQ response deadline | 8/05/2021
Delivery deadline for documents | 30/05/2021
Evaluation of the jury | 13-20 / 06/2021
Publication of results | 06/27/2020
Download the official announcement of the competition: Donwload all languages
Languages of the announcement: (en | fr | it | es | pt | ja | zh | ar | pl | ru )
Info and registration: www.kairalooro.com
BRIEF
Kaira Looro Architecture Competition 2021
Women's house in Africa
THEME
Architecture student competition for an architecture of WOMEN'S HOUSE in a Senegalese village.
JURY
Kengo Kuma (Kengo Kuma & Associates)
Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Miralles Tagliabue)
Urko Sanchez ( Urko Sanchez Architects)
Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA)
Azzurra Muzzonigro (Sex and the City)
Oulimata Sarr (Regional Director of UN Women West and Central Africa)
Lehau Victoria Maloka (Director of Women Gender and Development of African Union Commission)
Salimata Diop Dieng ( Minister of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection of Senegal).
TARGET
Architects, students, designers and engineers from anywhere in the world in individual participation or
with a team with at least 1 member under 35
AWARDS
1st prize: € 5,000 + Internship at Kengo Kuma Associates + Construction
2nd prize: € 1,000 + Internship at Miralles Tagliabue EMBT
3rd prize: € 500 + Publication + Certificate
Honorable mentions - 5 mentions - 20 finalists - 20 Top 50
All awarded teams will receive a certificate and will be: published in the competition channels, broadcast to over 30 media partners, shared with institutions and published in the official volume.
CALENDAR
Registration: from 16/01/2021 to 30/04/2021
Delivery deadline: 30/05/2021
Publication of results: 27/06/2020
PURPOSE
Non-profit to launch young architectural talents, promote the theme of the competition internationally and support humanitarian projects.
