K-Studio wins Kaira Looro competition for Senegal community center

Architects Afroditi Ioannidou and Vladimir Gligorovski of K-Studio have won first prize in the 2026 Kaira Looro Architecture Competition. Their winning proposal is a community center designed for rural southern Senegal.

Inspired by the traditional impluvium houses of the Casamance region, the design utilizes a central courtyard to manage light, rainwater, and social interaction. The structure is planned to be built using rammed-earth techniques (tapia) and bamboo, prioritizing local materials and methods that do not require heavy machinery or specialist labor. This approach allows for potential self-construction by the local community.

The design features an elongated, twisting arc that includes a library, study areas, workshops, and service spaces. The large bamboo roof is designed to provide shade and create an environment suitable for both independent use and large-scale village gatherings, such as meetings or performances.