Senegal Secondary School Competition

In the countryside of Senegal, thousands of children abandon their studies after primary education as there are no secondary schools nearby. The Djilakh village, with a population of more than four thousand, has two primary schools but unfortunately no secondary school. This situation causes a drop in the number of students, particularly among girls.

The Competition on Senegal Secondary School opens the door to architects and students to design a modern secondary school in Djilakh that is flexible, sustainable, and replicable. The secondary school will set the benchmark for every future construction in the area and stimulate the idea of making education accessible for everyone.

Competition Overview

The aim of the competition is to get school with the capacity for one hundred sixty students. Classrooms, a multipurpose space, restrooms, and an agricultural area are expected in the plan. Earth-based construction methods are highly recommended and cooling roofs that can be duplicated in the region and provide comfort should also be suggested.

The competition is an extension of the previous partnership between the organizers and a local NGO which resulted in a primary school project in 2022. The new school not only wants to bring more educational possibilities but also to create a deeper local economy impact and change building rules.

Timeline

Entry Fees

Awards

Architectural Analysis

In the end, the basic and the most important principle of the contest is sustainability. The use of local materials and the application of low-cost eco-friendly building methods to come up with the final design are all part of the process. Earth construction is not only part of the design but is also a major factor in the decision-making process through the use of innovative and climate-adaptive designs for the region.

Among other things, the competition focuses on the climatic regions, thermal comfort, and roofing strategies as well as the ability to replicate.

The choice of materials is determined by the local market and traditions in addition to being in line with the budget and ecological limitations. The school should not only be located in the rural area but also be sensitive to the community’s needs and be a model of the same kind of institution for other rural sites.

One of the ways competition is valid is by raising the question of the relationship between education infrastructure and social equity. The school building should be considered a social catalyst instead of just a building. Hence, the design should be developed at the intersection of architecture, social development, and the local economy.

Competition Importance

This contest guides architects to the conclusion that design can produce social impact related to the site and not solely the aesthetics and conditioning of the space. It underlines the fact that through architecture the issues of educational access inequality gender and rural development can be solved. The competition is a contribution of architectural thought such as the types of buildings that serve educational infrastructure in lesser-developed areas being pointed out as the ones worth of focus.

The competition is significant at a time when the world faces educational and infrastructure difficulties in many areas. It harmonises architecture with the issue of the poor and the needy and opens up to great scenarios of building that reflect the local and the global values.

✦ ArchUp Competition Review

The competition for a secondary school in Senegal calls for architects and students to come up with a design of a sustainable low-cost and replicable secondary school in Djilakh Senegal that would cover the educational gap of the rural regions. It is a global contest, and the winners will not only get cash prizes of up to €6,000 but also have their proposal built, with the times of September 2025 – February 2026 for submission. The redevelopment of the school is organized in collaboration with local partners who advocate the use of local earth materials and climate-responsive design. The competition evidently represents a humanitarian intent, though complete jury details are still to be revealed. In general, the competition legitimatizes itself with being socially responsive while combining the highest design standards with community impact that is measurable.

Conclusion

The Senegal Secondary School competition is a challenge for architects and designers to get their hands on a project which would be both significant and humanistic. Not only does the problem need a solution, but also the proposals should be eco-friendly, contextually appropriate and socially responsive.

The contest is a call for the architects’ creativity, and it is a long-term exercise in responsibility and thinking. By putting emphasis on education, rural infrastructure, and replicable building models, the competition is a platform for architecture to support the community and initiatively changing the society.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.

Registration Deadline

Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp