Banko Foundation announces three calls for entries for its 1st Earth Architecture for the Eco-Arts Competition: Design and Build a Rural Eco-Arts Center for Gambia, an international architecture competition open to professionals and students of architecture, design, urban planning and other related fields from around the world. The challenge is to design and lead the construction of a unit of a rural Eco-Arts School in Karsi Kunda village, in the Upper River Region of Gambia.
The Kantora Eco-Arts School
The Kantora Eco-Arts Village is a pilot project promoted by Banko Foundation, aspiring to be replicated in other parts of Gambia, which consists of a residential vocational training center for unemployed rural youths of ages 16 to 37 years to undergo a 2-year skills development training in vocational arts and architecture.
The Open Calls
The challenge is to design and lead the construction of one of three buildings: a Commercial Center, a Bantaba (multipurpose hall) and the reconstruction of the Fabric Workshop.
Commercial Center
The commercial center intends to become a place of exchange, connecting the school to the neighboring areas. Not only can people buy general goods, like fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, grains, livestock and clothes, but the students of the school will also have the opportunity to sell the products they develop during their training, empowering them to become financially independent. In the long run, the building is expected to host the “Lumo”, a local weekly market that brings people from all the surrounding villages and even nearby countries to trade products, boosting the economy of the larger community.
Bantaba
The Bantaba, a multipurpose hall, should be able to accommodate different functions and activities, such as socializing and dining, class sessions and a hub of internet and information. It is set in an open area of the school, where students, teachers and the local community are encouraged to meet, either outside or inside this space.
Fabric Workshop
The Fabric Workshop was built as part of a design competition that took place in 2018, consisting of two classrooms, an assembly area and two sheltered nooks allowing different uses. However, due to severe weather conditions, the building is partly destroyed and in need of reconstruction. The aim of this challenge is to plan and build a new roof for the building as well as fix the existing walls, structure and carpentry. In order to avoid further damage, the roof must be a thoughtful structure, resistant to the tropical climate conditions. Also, plastering should be applied on the walls, as well as painting.
Schedule
1st January – 31st May 2025
Competition Opens
1st January – 31st May 2025
Question and Answer
31st May 2025
Deadline for Registration
31st May 2025
Deadline for Submissions
30th June 2025
Announcement of Winners
About the Banko Foundation
Banko Foundation Gambia is an idea just as much as a non-profit organization. It is an artist, teacher, architects and social entrepreneur initiative with focus on human capital development through the arts and designs, permaculture and landscapes at the intersections of life-long education, multidisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration.
For any questions concerning the Open Call, please contact the Banko Foundation through the following email: bankofoundation.competition@gmail.com