The Balouo Salo Non-Profit Organisation has launched the 2024 edition of the Kaira Looro Architecture Competition for a Maternity Centre Facility design in Southern of Senegal, Africa.

The aim of the competition is to select an architectural design for a Maternity Centre, offering healthcare throughout pregnancy. 

Organized annually by a non-profit Balouo Salo Humanitarian Organization, the organizers are looking for an innovative model – an emblematic, cosy and professional place where every woman can feel safe.

The competition will select 3 winners, 2 Honourable Mentions, 2 Special Mentions, 20 Finalists, and 20 top 50 finalists. 

World Architecture Community is official media partner of the 2024 edition of Kaira Looro Competition and will share the winners of the competition once the competition is closed.

Image © Balouosalo

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.

Image © Balouosalo

The jury members of the the Kaira Looro Architecture Competition are comprised of world-renowned architects. 

The entries received will be evaluated by a jury made up of prominent architects: Kengo Kuma, founder of KKAA, Benedetta Tagliabue, founder of Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, Agostino Ghirardelli from SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli), Mario Cucinella, founder of Mario Cucinella Architects, Raul Pantaleo, co-founder of TAM Associati, Tosin Oshinowo, founder of Oshinowo Studio, Emmanuelle Moureaux, founder of Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design, Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani e Mohamed Amine Siana and an scientific committee made up of Raoul Vecchio from Balouo Salo, Sebastiano D’Urso from the University of Catania and other specialist in architecture and humanitarian actions.

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The winning project will receive a 5.000€ cash prize and an internship at Kengu Kuma's office KKAA studio in Japan, as well as the construction of the project as humanitarian intervention. 

The other internships will be awarded to the 2nd place team at EMBT in Spain and to the 3rd place at SBGA, and respectively 2.000€ and 1.000€ cash prizes. 

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 mediapartners, and shared with institutional partners.

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The building must be designed as a humanitarian operation and for self-construction, i.e., without qualified personnel or construction companies, with the direct participation of the local community, without the use of heavy vehicles, and with sustainable technologies and local materials.

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The project must include at least the following areas, which may be developed in one or more structures according to the architect’s vision:

1. Reception area and waiting room: A welcoming space for patients and their relatives.

2. Reserved area for healthcare personnel: A dedicated area for medical staff (about 5 persons) to document cases, make decisions, monitor pregnancies, sterilise medical instruments and store medical supplies. Toilets and changing rooms for staff must also be provided.

3. Medical examination and consultation area: A room designed for medical examinations and consultations.

4. Ward areas: A space to monitor women during the early stages of labour and prepare them for transfer to the delivery room, and a post-partum recovery space, with equipment for newborn and maternal care including beds, heating pads, toilets and showers. (Maximum 8 beds)

5. Labour and delivery area: A delivery area with the highest levels of hygiene and lighting.

6. Operating area for caesarean sections: A sterile operating room to be used in case of complications or surgical procedures.

7. Neonatal observation area: An area dedicated to monitoring newborns after birth, in case of complications or a premature birth.

All these environments must be designed to ensure the highest hygienic and sanitary conditions, guaranteeing comfort and safety for both pregnant women and newborn babies, as well as for healthcare personnel. 

The maximum indoor surface area is 350 square metres.

The competition is organised by the Balouo Salo Non-Profit Organisation, engaged in charitable projects in Africa, and all proceeds (obtained from the registration fees), will be entirely donated to the implementation of humanitarian projects in Africa to improve the living conditions of communities in rural areas. 

The winning projects of the 2022 and 2021 editions are currently under construction, with the support of the competition revenues.

Registration will open on 12th January 2024.

Early registrations are from 12th January to 29th February 2024. Standard registrations are from 1st March to 8th April 2024. Late registrations are from 9th April to 14th May 2024. 

Submissione deadline is on 11st June 2024 and winners will be announced on 9th July 2024.

More information can be found on the competition's website. Registrations can be made via this page. 

Meanwhile, see the winners of the previous edition, Primary School competition in rural areas of Senegal on WAC.

All images © Balouosalo.

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