Kaira Looro Architecture Competition 2025: Seeking Innovative Designs for Nursery Schools in Sub-Saharan Africa , Südafrika

 

The lack of quality educational facilities in many rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa poses a significant barrier to children's development. Education plays a crucial role in nurturing cognitive skills, emotional growth, and social abilities, preparing them to face life’s challenges with resilience and creativity. However, in many of these regions, children are deprived of these fundamental opportunities due to the absence of safe and stimulating environments.

 

To address this pressing issue, the 2025 edition of the Kaira Looro Competition invites architects, students, designers, engineers, and young professionals from around the world to design an architectural model for a Nursery School in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective is to create a safe and inclusive environment that promotes children's well-being and development.

 

With this new edition of the competition, young professionals and students worldwide will have the opportunity to shape the future of education in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is not just a design challenge but also an invitation to contribute to a legacy of sustainability, creativity, and community empowerment. Furthermore, Kaira Looro is the only competition with no profit-oriented objectives. All proceeds are entirely donated to the humanitarian organization Balouo Salo, which is dedicated to improving access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure in these disadvantaged regions. By participating, entrants will also become witnesses to tangible change driven by solidarity.

 

The 2025 edition encourages participants to propose innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that integrate education, socialization, play, and exploration into a cohesive space. Proposals should focus on using local materials, sustainable construction practices, and involving the local community in the building process. The resulting project should not only be a vibrant and welcoming space for children but also serve as a reference point for the local community and a model of sustainable development.

 

Participants must also consider the challenges of building in rural areas, where the lack of skilled labor and heavy machinery can pose significant obstacles. The Nursery School should cover a maximum area of 650 square meters and include classrooms, offices, educational and play areas, a medical room, a dining hall, storage, and sanitary facilities. All this should be achieved through a unique and innovative design that represents excellence in this educational field.

 

As per tradition, the competition also aims to launch young architectural talents into the international arena by awarding prestigious prizes and professional growth opportunities. Some of the most significant awards include:

 

1st Prize: €5,000, internship at Kengo Kuma & Associates (Japan), and the realization of the project as a humanitarian initiative.

2nd Prize: €2,000 + internship at one of Benedetta Tagliabue EMBT (Spain), Amanda Levete Architects (London), or SBGA Blengini Ghirardelli (Milan).

3rd Prize: €1,000 + internship at one of EMBT (Spain), ALA (London), or SBGA Blengini Ghirardelli (Milan).

 

The competition also recognizes special and honourable mentions, as well as 35 finalists. All awarded projects will gain international visibility and be published in prestigious architectural journals and the competition’s official book.

 

The jury of Kaira Looro is made up of some of the world’s most renowned and award-winning architects worldwide, such as:

 

● Kengo Kuma (Kengo Kuma & Associates)

● Benedetta Tagliabue (Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects)

● Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, Ramón (RCR Arquitectes)

● Mario Cucinella (Mario Cucinella Architects)

● David Adjaye (Adjaye Associates)

● Amanda Levete (Amanda Levete Architects)

● Manuel Aires Mateus (Aires Mateus Architects)

● Giancarlo Mazzanti (El Equipo Mazzanti)

● Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli)

● Raul Pantaleo (TAM Associati)

● Emmanuelle Moureaux (Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design)

● Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani, Mohamed Amine Siana

 

● Early Registration: January 10 – February 28, 2025

● Regular Registration: March 1 – April 9, 2025

● Late Registration: April 10 – May 15, 2025

● Project Submission Deadline: June 10, 2025

● Jury Evaluation: June 23 – 29, 2025

● Winners Announcement: July 8, 2025

 

For more information and to register, visit www.kairalooro.com.