· BRIEF ·
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· introduction ·
Archstorming, in partnership with Vicente Ferrer Foundation (VFF) and its Indian counterpart, Rural Development Trust (RDT), is embarking on a transformative architecture competition aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the rural regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. These areas face severe challenges due to poverty, water scarcity, inadequate sanitation, and caste discrimination. By leveraging innovative and sustainable architecture, this competition seeks to create a prototype for Community Centers that embody flexibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, catering to the multifaceted needs of rural communities.
VFF and RDT have a long history of initiating projects that directly impact the well-being of these communities, focusing on women empowerment, education, health, and community building. The proposed Community Centers will serve as hubs for education, health services, community gatherings, and cultural events, aiming to foster unity, learning, and collective empowerment among the rural populace. |
· challenge ·
The competition challenges participants to design a Community Center that can be adapted and replicated across different villages, meeting their unique needs while maintaining a core structure that symbolizes the heart of community life.
The design must be cost-effective, using construction techniques and materials familiar to local builders, ensuring the centers are both affordable, sustainable and have a long-term viability and easy maintenance. Participants are encouraged to integrate modularity in their designs, allowing for future expansions or modifications as community needs evolve. The first of these Community Centers will be erected in Kodidoddi, a village characterized by its homogeneity and isolation, lacking basic facilities and a proper venue for community engagement. You can check all the program in the full information document down below. Welcome to this new adventure! |
· THE WINNERS ·
[FIRST prize]
Francisco Rodriguez Zafra, Diego Peña Jurado, Kei Sugimoto
BERLIN, GERMANY
"Jury feedback
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The jury applauds the winning project's simplicity and elegance, which perfectly align with the competition's requirements. The design's easy-to-build structure highlights the crucial importance of well-defined spaces in this specific context. The scheme's modularity and flexibility offer a low-cost, adaptable solution tailored to the unique needs and opportunities of its location. The linear volume of the Indian Community Center of Kodidoddi, housing multifunctional rooms, classrooms, and semi-open spaces, creates a thoughtful hierarchy of spaces and privacy.
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The project's commendable amount of external space and potential for growth stand out. The incorporation of passive strategies for low energy consumption further enhance the project's sustainability and durability. The permeable exterior walls invite community engagement, while the ventilated tiled roof provides thermal and acoustic insulation. Balancing aesthetics, practicality, and cultural sensitivity, this design is a deserving winner, fostering a versatile environment for communal and educational activities.
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[SECOND prize]
Sergio Ponte, José Pastor, Gabriel Vera, Sebastian Cisneros
LIMA, PERU
"Jury feedback
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The jury commends the project's beautiful set of panels, which are well laid out and clearly explain the scheme. Despite the challenging scale of the interstitial spaces, the project shows great potential with its year-round usability. The Kodiddodi Community Centre in India is designed as a flexible, sustainable prototype for future projects, focused on children and motherhood. The building alternates built modules with courtyards, merging interior and exterior spaces through verandas.
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It effectively addresses extreme weather by using courtyards for temperature regulation and a ventilation system for thermal comfort. The elevated foundation slab and rainwater capture system enhance water management. The modular construction system and material choices ensure ease of construction and replicability. Balancing aesthetic appeal, practicality, and community-focused design, this project is a commendable contender, fostering a versatile environment for communal interaction and exchange.
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[THIRD prize]
Shruti Venkat, Arindam Das, Muhammad Shariq, Raksha Hemmige
BANGALORE, INDIA
"Jury feedback
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The jury appreciates the flexible proposal that maximizes space usage and features an interesting roof solution. The playful scheme introduces new urban patterns, allowing the urban form to breathe. Although the interstitial spaces are oddly shaped, they are mostly usable. The community center's design around a central court and flexible system is commendable, accommodating various activities with different privacy needs.
Grouping the multipurpose hall and administration spaces near the road while positioning services, the community kitchen, and classrooms towards the rear, creates a practical layout. |
The use of local materials keeps costs in check and adds to the design's sustainability. The adaptable layout, connecting two blocks with a large maidan space, supports both unified and isolated use. Additional spaces for vending carts, a weekly bazaar, water collection, an amphitheater, and a kitchen garden enhance functionality. Overall, this project balances flexibility, sustainability, and community focus, fostering a vibrant and cohesive environment.
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[SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION prize]
Deepak Jain Ashok Kumar, Rahul Lodha
CHENNAI, INDIA
"Jury feedback
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The jury commends the compact and simple design, perfectly aligned with the community's needs. The proposal is well-grounded in terms of security, safety, and maintenance for the local context. Kodidaddi's community, with its strong cultural traditions and agricultural economy, is well-reflected in the design, which preserves the central neem tree as a hub for social interaction. The use of a secondary roof to reduce thermal gain and protect against heavy rainfall is a thoughtful inclusion.
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The incorporation of local building elements like kadappa sunshades and stone masonry walls reflects the village's vernacular architecture. Preserving and revitalizing the water tank demonstrates practical sustainability. Overall, the design seamlessly integrates with the village's urban fabric, enhancing communal identity and pride while promoting development and togetherness.
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[SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION prize]
Tiago do Vale, Paula Campos, Alara Çağla, Marija Matozan
BRAGA, PORTUGAL
"Jury feedback
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The jury appreciates the potential in the proposed internal courtyard, noting the compact structure and excellent material selection that enhances the space. The bold use of color is praised for pushing boundaries, although the 'negative' spaces could use further development. The well-thought-out courtyards and internal spaces, along with the innovative cooling strategy, are commendable.
The modular, elevated construction effectively protects against monsoon water and critters, providing better temperature control. |
The passive thermal and ventilation controls, with high ceilings and a double skin roof, are innovative and practical. The "H" shaped veranda circulation structure efficiently collects and distributes rainwater across the center.
Local materials and low-cost construction techniques are well-chosen, creating a welcoming plaza-like entrance under a Neem tree for community gatherings. |
[HONORABLE MENTIONS]
Denisa Alexiu, Otilia Proteasa
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Camilo Pizarro, Victor Duran
TEMUCO, CHILE
Asuman Doğan, Meryem Özkan, Süleyman Uluısık
ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE
Dinesh Kottimukulur, Basil Vignesh, Manish Mahendran, Jeyanth S
RAJAPALAYAM, INDIA
Ravisha Rathore, Devesh Uniyal
GURGAON, INDIA
Giacomo Caputo, Leonarda Pace
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Sebastian Trujillo-Torres, Kruti Shah
MUMBAI, INDIA
Carlos Chamat, Luis Holguin
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
Yi Yang Chai, Janice Ann Hung Cheah
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Marie-France Bouet, Simone Arici
PARIS, FRANCE
· THE FINALISTS ·
· full competition INFO·
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*Further information (including plans, site pictures, videos and more) will be sent after registration
· JURY ·
Rajasekhar Reddy, joined Rural Development Trust in 1999, promoted to Area Team Leader in 2022, leads Habitat sector, contributed to SWACH BHARAT campaign. |
Maialen Gonzalo, architect, joined FVF in 2022, led projects in India including schools, dormitories, and water treatment plants, enhancing local infrastructure. |
Felice, Director at Architects&Co., combines design with inclusiveness, fostering meaningful relationships and culturally rich spaces, contributes to The Anganwadi Project. |