Archstorming launches new competition to design future schools for NGO Abay in Ethiopia

Archstorming is launching a new competition that will look for designs for the future schools of the NGO Abay Ethiopia, an organization founded in Spain in 2009 that operates in Walmara, Ethiopia, to fight against poverty and promote equal opportunities, mainly through the development of Education, Health and Community support projects in general.

One of their most important projects has been the construction of a Polyfunctional Center and Preschool in Gaba Kemisa, a “kebele” (village) located in the district of Walmara, in the Regional State of Oromia.

The centre of Abay has a great influence on the rest of the adjacent towns, especially on the kebeles Hiddi and Dillu. In these kebeles, there is no early childhood education service means that children who want to access it have to walk several kilometres a day to Abay’s centre, which makes it very difficult for them to stay in school.

CHALLENGE

Abay wants to support the Hiddi and Dillu primary schools with the construction of two preschools in these villages. This will ensure access to education for the children of these villages and help the entire community in the area, as happened more than 10 years ago, with creating the centre and school in Gaba Kemisa. The winning proposal will be built.

The current competition's main challenge is to ensure that the developed model can be adapted to the different places where Abay wants to build schools.
As with Dillu and Hiddi, each terrain is different, so a flexible model will be needed to adapt to each space.

The new schools will consist of initial construction of 4 classrooms, latrines, a covered courtyard and an open courtyard. The proposals should also include the option to add additional spaces such as a multifunctional space, kitchen, dining room, or a corral. See more detailed information in the briefing of the competition.

PRIZES

1st place - 6.000€ + Project Construction
2nd place - 2.000€
3rd place - 1.000€
2x Special Honorable Mention - 500€
10x Honorable Mentions

SCHEDULE

January 13, 2021 - February 16, 2021: Early Registration Period
February 17, 2021 - March 16, 2021: Regular Registration Period
March 17, 2021 - April 13, 2021: Advanced Registration Period
April 14, 2021 - May 12, 2021: Late Registration Period
May 12, 2021: Submission Deadline
June 8, 2021: Winners Announced