African Parks – Badingilo National Park Headquarters Design Competition

African Parks, in partnership with the Government of South Sudan; Ministry of Wildilfe Conservation & Tourism (MWCT) , manages Badingilo National Park as part of its mission to restore and protect Africa’s natural heritage. Covering over 10,000 km², Badingilo hosts the largest land mammal wildlife migration on the planet and will act as the operational hub for several national parks in the region. 
Headquarters location (coordinates): 5° 6' 26.9094" N, 31° 54' 11.6676" E, within Badingilo National Park We invite architects and final-year architecture/construction students worldwide to design a ground-level headquarters complex that will accommodate administrative, residential, research, and visitor functions. This will be a model of sustainable, affordable, climate-adapted architecture using earth-based materials to withstand both the extreme heat of the dry season and the heavy rains of the wet season. 

Registration
All interested participants should register by sending an email to [email protected]. by September 10, 2025. Upon registration, you will receive a unique competition code, which must appear on all submission materials. 

Questions
Email any questions to the same registration address. Please note that questions will no longer be accepted 2 days prior to the registration closing date. 

Incentives
• Selected winning designs may be partially or fully executed within Badingilo National Park.
• Designers will be credited by name for their work.
• Winning teams will be hosted at the official opening of the project once construction is completed, enabling them to experience their work brought to life in context. 

Design Goals
• Sustainability: Use of locally sourced earth-based materials (rammed earth, CSEB, adobe) with passive cooling and rain protection.
• Climate Resilience: Incorporate roof slopes, overhangs, drainage systems suitable for heavy rains, and thermal mass, open spaces, and natural ventilation ideal for heat. 
• Affordability: Construction methods implementable with local skills and materials.
• Contextual Fit: Integration with the flat savanna landscape and cultural traditions of South Sudan. • Ground-Level Only: All buildings must be single-storey. 

Program Requirements
• Central building: up to 600 m²—for 2 Directors, 6 Senior Managers, 7 Mid-Level Managers, and a conference room.
• Research/Reception building: approx. 200 m²—for Exhibition/Museum, Research Office, GIS unit, Multi-purpose Room, Café/Shop.
• Canteen for staff.
• Parade Ground.
• Solar Power Generation Node.
• Law enforcement block (4 offices, briefing/control room, store room, armory).
• Infirmary (could use existing offices).
• Guesthouse: 4 visitor/consultant units.
• Optional: a connection between central and research/reception buildings.
• Senior Staff Accommodation: 13 units of 45 m² each (1 Bedroom, Open Kitchen/Living, Bathroom, Terrace).
• Gym near senior accommodation, capable of serving 10 people.
• Soccer/football field. 

Submission Deliverables
• Masterplan (1:500 scale), including a Site Plan showing new and existing infrastructure.
• Floor Plans, Sections, Elevations (1:200 scale).
• 3D Renderings/Perspectives.
• Basic Structural Plans (foundation, wall, roof types).
• Detail Drawings (as needed).
• Bill of Quantities (BOQ) – bonus points if included.
• Design Statement (max. 1,000 words).
• Material & Sustainability Report. 

File Size & Format:
• All submissions should be compiled into a single PDF file, not exceeding 50 MB.
• 3D renderings should be embedded in the PDF and may also be submitted as separate highresolution JPEG/PNG images.
• Information on where to upload the documents will be shared 1 week before the submittal date
If selected: Winning teams will be required to provide all final drawings in high-resolution, editable AutoCAD (DWG) format, along with any supporting documentation.  

Judging Criteria
• Contextual Fit & Landscape Integration – 20%
• Sustainability & Earth-Material Strategy – 20%
• Functionality & Spatial Clarity – 20%
• Affordability & Constructability (including BOQ quality) – 15%
• Clarity of Design & Presentation – 15%
• Construction Readiness / Structural Clarity – 10%
• Bonus: full BOQ – 7.5% 

Timeline
• Registration Close: September 10, 2025, at midnight Juba time, South Sudan (GMT +2)
• Submission Deadline: October 25, 2025, at midnight Juba time, South Sudan (GMT +2)
• Results Announcement: November 15, 2025, Via Email and on our Instagram page 

Eligibility
• Fresh graduates (<5 years), Final-year architecture students, construction students, or relevant professionals.
• Teams may include engineers or sustainability experts.
• International entries are welcome, but must strongly adapt to South Sudan’s context. 

Notes for Participants
• Designs must prioritize ground-level, modular construction.
• Earth-based materials should be central to the design.
• Designs should be cost-conscious and buildable using local labor and skills. 

Stay Connected
• Learn more on our website: africanparks.org
• Follow updates on Instagram: @boma_badingilo_southsudan