Archstorming launches a new humanitarian architecture competition to rethink education through earth construction and innovation

In rural Senegal, thousands of children are forced to abandon school after completing primary education due to the absence of secondary schools. This is the case in Djilakh, a village of over 4,000 people with two primary schools but no secondary school—resulting in alarmingly high dropout rates, especially among girls.

To address this urgent need, Archstorming and the NGO Let’s Build My School (LBMS) have launched the Senegal Secondary School competition, inviting architects and students to design a flexible, sustainable, and replicable secondary school in Djilakh—one that can also become a reference model for future construction in the region.

The project will accommodate 160 students with new classrooms, a multipurpose space, restrooms, and an agricultural area.

Participants are encouraged to use earth-based construction techniques and propose innovative roofing solutions that enhance thermal comfort and can be replicated across the region. 

This vision builds on the success of Archstorming’s first collaboration with Let’s Build My School (LBMS): the Sambou Toura Drame School, completed in 2022, which not only improved access to education, but also boosted the local economy and revolutionized building practices in the area.

Awards

1st Prize: €6,000 + Construction

2nd Prize: €2,000

3rd Prize: €1,000

2 Special Mentions: €500 each

10 Honorable Mentions

All finalist projects will be featured on international architecture platforms and social media. All participants will receive a digital certificate.

Key Dates

Early registration: Sept 23 – Oct 29

Regular registration: Oct 30 – Dec 3

Advanced registration: Dec 4 – Jan 7

Last call: Jan 8 – Feb 4

Submission deadline: Feb 4, 2026

Winners announced: Feb 26, 2026

Jury

Leila Meroue, Founder of Let's Build My School

Tore Grimstad, Senior Architect

Marc Thorpe, Founder of Marc Thorpe Design + Architecture

Zani Gichuki, Co-Founder of Ardhi Na Mbao

Ana Baptista and Hugo Dourado, Founders of Colectivo Mel

Andrea Tabocchini and Francesca Vittorini, Senior Architects

Ulrich Röhlen, Clay Expert

Registration

The registration fees are per team and they are tiered based on the date of registration as follows:

Early Bird Registration: €70 + VAT 

Standard Registration: €90 + VAT 

Extended Registration: €110 + VAT 

Final Call Registration: €130 + VAT

* VAT charged 21%.

Registrations are now open at the website. 

Download the competition brief from here: Briefing SSS_EN.pdf. 

Early registration fee available for a limited time!

If you believe architecture can change lives, this is your chance to make an impact.

The top image in the article courtesy of Archstorming.

> via Archstorming