The Balouo Salo Association, a non-profit organisation, has launched the third edition of its competition to design a Peace Pavilion In memory of the innocent victims of war in Africa. 

Named Kaira Looro Architecture Competition - Peace Pavilion, the focus of this competition is to create a pavilion for the promotion of universal peace which inspires contemplation, reflection, and prayer for those who unjustly lost their lives.

The winner will get a €4,000 cash prize and work as an intern at Kengo Kuma's Tokyo Office alongside the construction of the pavilion in Sedhiou, Senegal.

Set to be built on a site in Sedhiou region, the aim of the competition is to create a symbolic structure commemorating the victims of the African wars, one that can spread awareness among local and international communities, creating a commemorative and educational space, with respect for the environment and for local traditions. The architecture must be capable of promoting the culture of peace.

"The architecture of the pavilion must create a multifunctional space in which it will be possible to mount permanent and temporary exhibits by artists who share the values of peace and historical memory, but also a place where individuals can retrace and learn about Africa’s history through photographs and documents," stated the organizers. 

"Knowledge and sharing are essential elements for transforming the pavilion into a beacon of awareness. Furthermore, an area will be created in which to contemplate what happened, by praying for the victims or reflecting on the past, immersed in a metaphysical space that gives proper significance to memory."

The pavilion will be open to the public and accessible to everyone. It will respect all cultures, genders, and religions.

World Architecture Community is official Media Partner of the competition and will share the results when the competition has ended. 

Theme

Intercultural hostility and the exploitation of resources on the African continent have triggered a succession of armed conflicts resulting in millions of innocent lives lost and refugees seeking hope in a better life elsewhere. Communities annihilated. Villages and cities torn to the ground. Nations in chaos.

Remembering the victims through the universal value of peace can help to lay the foundation for the creation of an inclusive and cohesive society. Contemplation, memory, and compassion are the values that commemorative architecture must convey in order to build a better world.

International Jury at the Kaira Looro Architecture Competition for Peace Pavilion

The Scientific Committee at the Kaira Looro Architecture Competition for Peace Pavilion

Jury 

The internationally jury is composed by Kengo Kuma, T. Hirano (Università di Tokyo), A. Ghirardelli (SBGA), Urko Sanchez (Urko Sanchez Architects), Diana Lopez Caramazana (UN- Habitat Nairobi), Jean Paul Sebuhayi Uwase & Noella Nibakuze (Mass Group Design). The scientific committee is composed by S. D'Urso (Università di Catania), R. Vecchio (Balouo Salo) and Moussa Souane (CCAI Sedhio)

Calendar

Early registration – from 18th January to 11st February 2019 

Normal registration - from 12nd February to 10th March 2019 

Late registration – from 05th March to 31st March, 2019 

Submission deadline - 18th April 2019

Winners announced – 4th May 2019

Prizes

1st Place: € 4,000 + Internship at Kengo Kuma Associates at Tokyo Office+ Construction

2nd Place: € 1,000 + Publication + Exhibition + Certificate

3rd Place: € 500 + Publication + Exhibition + Certificate

2 honorable mentions: € 150 + Publication + Exhibition + Certificate

5 mentions: Publication + Exhibition + Certificate 20 finalists: Publication + Exhibition + Certificate

All awarded projects will be published in the competition’s official book and on its website,transmitted to architectural websites and other architectural contexts, and displayed at architectural events.

You can download the full competition brief from here: EN_KAIRA LOORO COMPETITION.pdf. All drawings, competition rules and images can be downloaded from the Kaira Looro Architecture Competition's website. 

All images courtesy of Balouo Salo Association

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