The Kaira Looro 2025 Architecture Competition, taking place online in January 2025, is recognized as one of the most influential global competitions, open to students and young architects. The competition is centered on themes of humanitarian architecture for emergencies and development.
Competition Overview
Kaira Looro seeks to identify and elevate emerging architectural talents globally, offering prestigious awards and internships with some of the world’s leading architecture firms. The competition aims to raise awareness about humanitarian crises, with all proceeds donated to support charity projects in developing regions. “Kaira Looro” comes from the Mandinka language, meaning “architecture for peace,” which reflects the competition’s mission.
Competition Jury
The 2025 jury is composed of award-winning architects, many of whom are globally renowned for their contributions to architecture:
- Kengo Kuma (President of the Jury since 2016, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Japan)
- Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Architects, Spain)
- Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, Ramón Vilalta (RCR Arquitectes, Spain)
- Sir David Adjaye (Adjaye Associates, USA, UK, Ghana)
- Mario Cucinella (Mario Cucinella Architects, Italy)
- Amanda Levete (AL_A, UK)
- Manuel Aires Mateus (Aires Mateus, Portugal)
- Giancarlo Mazzanti (El Equipo Mazzanti, Colombia)
- Raul Pantaleo (TAM Associati, Italy)
- Emmanuelle Moureaux (Japan)
- Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani, Mohamed Amine Siana (Morocco)
Competition Awards and Opportunities
- Internships at prestigious firms, including Kengo Kuma and Associates (Tokyo), EMBT (Barcelona), and Amanda Levete Architects (London).
- Prizes:
- 1st Prize: €5,000
- 2nd Prize: €2,000
- 3rd Prize: €1,000
- Honorable Mentions: €100 (2 mentions)
- 10 Special Mentions and 35 Finalists
- Recognition: Winning projects will receive international visibility, with over 500,000 impressions, and the opportunity for the winning project to be constructed. Winners will also be featured in publications and exhibitions worldwide.
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