Kaira Looro 2024 - Maternity Centre

The objective of this competition is to select an architectural design for a Maternity Centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering healthcare throughout pregnancy. Organizers are looking for an innovative model – an emblematic, cosy and professional place where every woman can feel safe. 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.

Pregnancy and giving birth constitute a crucial challenge in the lives of women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Every year, more than 200,000 women lose their lives due to a lack of basic care. Taking so many lives and resulting in more than 1 million orphans each year, this issue is often the result of complications that could be prevented or treated with access to basic medical care. In Africa, one in 16 women risks dying giving birth to a new life, while in other parts of the world, thanks to prenatal care and specialised assistance during childbirth, this risk affects one in 35,000 women

Jury

Kengo Kuma (KKAA), Benedetta Tagliabue (Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects), Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli), Mario Cucinella (Mario Cucinella Architects), Urko Sanchez (Urko Sanchez Architects), Raul Pantaleo (TAM Associati), Tosin Oshinowo (Oshinowo Studio), Emmanuelle Moureaux (Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design), Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani e Mohamed Amine Siana

Award

1st Prize: 5.000€ + Construction + Internship at Kengo Kuma
2nd Prize: 2.000€ + Internship at EMBT Architects
3nd Prize: 1.000€ + Internship at SBGA Blengini Ghirardelli
2 Honourable Mentions 100€
5 Special Mentions 
20 Finalists
20 Top 50

The project

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.

Info and registrations: www.kairalooro.com  

Donwload guidelines: en | fr | it | es | pt | pl | tr | zh | ar | ja | el | hi