Kaira Looro Competition 2022 – Children’s House in Africa

• Early registrations : 15th Jan – 28th Febr 2022
• Normal registrations : 1st March – 10th Apr 2022
• Late registrations : 11st Apr – 15th May 2022
• FAQ answer deadline : 1st June 2022
• Submissione Deadline: 13th June 2022
• Jury evalution : 27th June – 03rd July 2022
• Winners announcements : 11th July 2022

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” is an international architecture competition for students and young architects, the objective of which is to grow up careers of new architectural talent, raise awareness in the international community regarding the topics of emergency, and support humanitarian projects. Participation is open to architects, students, designers, engineers and anyone who wants to propose a solution to the theme. It is possible to participate in the competition individually or in teams, with one requirement: the presence of under 35 years old on the team.

The entries received will be evaluated by a jury made up of prominent architects: Kengo Kuma (Kengo Kuma & Associates), Mario Cucinella (Mario Cucinella Architects), Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli), Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Miralles Tagliabue), Mphethi Morojele (MMA Design Studio), Alice Dietsch (AL_A), Giuseppe Mazzaglia (MVRDV), Sharon Devis (Sharon Davis Design), Ligia Nunes (Architecture Sans Frontières International ), Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani and Mohamed Amine Siana and an scientific committee made up of Raoul Vecchio (Balouo Salo), Sebastiano D’Urso (University of Catania), Moussa Soaune (CCAA Senegal), Mamath Ndiaye (Balouo Salo) and other specialist in architecture and nutrition.

Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, 2 honorable 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 as a humanitarian intervention. The other internships will be awarded to the 2nd place team at the Mario Cucinella Architects in Italy and to the 3rd place at the SBGA Blengini Ghiradelli, and respectively 2.000€ and 1.000€. 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 architecture of the ‘Children’s House’ will be a space intended to prevent child malnutrition by providing nutritional material, the development of hygiene and healthcare awareness-raising programs, the organization of pediatric and social care appointments, housing for at-risk patients, and the training of community nurses, who will guide local families on best practice in relation to prevention and nutrition.