The Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design (FAED) in the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Rwanda has launched an open international competition to design a prototype for an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility in the capital that can be replicated and adapted to different communities within the country. The center should engage with the context and accommodate 50 children from ages 3 to 5 years, for stimulation, education and nutrition, and other parental and community activities out of the strict Early Childhood Development activities schedule.
Background
African countries are facing an enormous challenge in the child development sphere: With over 140 million children scattered across Africa, the future of the continent is at stake. In addition, the international image of children is becoming increasingly homogeneous and based on a Western derivation of appearance and characteristics.
Recent international and national development efforts in countries all over Africa have promoted children education and nutrition as the key to help communities overcome poverty, improve their lives and change their future. Mobilizing local governments to build safe, healthy, affordable and environmentally sound educational institutions for children and their communities, however, has proven difficult at best.
Several research projects have found that integrated and well-coordinated Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs help countries maximize the effectiveness of their investments in children. Importantly, vulnerable children, their parents and legal guardians require well-integrated and coordinated ECD services to meet their needs.
FAED 2013 Arcontest
This international design competition is open to students and graduates of the 2012 and 2013 academic years. Deadline for registration is 23rd June 2013 and submission deadline is 7th July 2013. The winner and four honorable mentions will be announced on 12th July 2013.
See the competition brief for full details and contact faedcultureoutreachcommittee@gmail.com or visit arcbox for more information.
Thanks to our student Kimberly Pelkofsky, for the letting us know about the competition! Kimberly is currently completing her internship in Kigali, Rwanda with ASA Studio, cofounded by our former student Nerea Amorós who also works as an assistant lecturer at FAED KIST.