Interview with Christopher Luvanda, Denis Ezekiel , Judith Kabelinde

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your team?

We are a team of three — two architecture students and one recent graduate — who met at Ardhi University (Tanzania) during our studies. What brought us together is a shared passion for sustainable architecture, especially the use of locally available materials and culturally responsive construction techniques. We believe in architecture that serves communities and responds to real social and environmental needs, which is what motivated us to participate in this prestigious competition.

How did you feel when you received a Special Mention in the Kaira Looro 2025 competition?

Well, one of our team members was doing a final architecture semester presentation whereas the other two were preparing for another presentation when one of us received an email of the exciting news. We were really happy and couldn’t believe at first. This is our second trial to participate in the competition so this news really made us happy and also suggest that our thinking about the architecture of African households and communities is recognized internationally. Being recognized on such a global platform affirmed the value of our concepts and efforts. It motivated us to further believe in the power of Architecture in creating change and uplift lives especially in vulnerable communities. We have also been motivated to participate in more Architecture competitions so as to share experiences, challenge our abilities and acquire new insights eventually becoming more driven to solve community related challenges.

What inspired your project?

The inspiration stemmed from the need to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where young children can learn, play and grow. We drew inspiration from local vernacular materials, spatial organization rooted in culture and the emotional needs of children. The design fosters traditional architecture that is resilient and sustainable that adapts to the local context and resources. Our aim was to design more than just classrooms, we wanted to create a safe haven that fosters curiosity, joy and a sense of belonging for every child.

What does the theme of early childhood education mean to you?

To us, early childhood education is the foundation of human development. Growing up in the African context, we have witnessed how crucial it is in shaping a child’s social behaviour, emotional intelligence, and cognitive abilities. It’s during this phase that children begin to understand the world beyond their homes, learning how to interact, share, empathize, and imagine. We really appreciate this organization for having a thought on early childhood education for African Children, as young African Architects we are so touched and happy as well to participate in improving access to education to the young children in Senegal.

What role can architecture play in supporting vulnerable communities?

Architecture holds the power to transform lives by providing more than just shelter — it creates spaces of belonging, healing, and opportunity. For vulnerable communities, architecture can be a catalyst for change when it reflects cultural identity, embraces the local climate, and uses accessible, affordable materials. It can facilitate education through inclusive, child-friendly learning environments; it can offer refuge and dignity through well-designed homes and public spaces. Adding from our perspective in our daily African context, architecture provides spaces that encourage dialogue and unity that are designed according to local culture and traditions, giving people places to gather, share ideas, and plan their futures.

Did the humanitarian purpose of the competition influence your participation?

Absolutely yes, we have participated in this competition with intention of contributing to the advancement of humanitarian values through architecture that corresponds to this context. As young African Architects, we have always been touched with the situation happening around us, and so this platform gave us an opportunity to advocate on how our traditional construction techniques could help our society to alleviate challenges of our time, helping in improving built environment especially those which provide educational service to people.