COMPETITIONS PORTAL
“Everyone has a will to win, but very few have the will to prepare to win.” – Vince Lombardi
History
Background: Our competitions program was established in 2015 with the vision of fostering innovation and excellence among young talents. What began as a small regional contest has now evolved into an internationally recognized platform for showcasing extraordinary skills.
Cause: We believe in providing opportunities for talented individuals to demonstrate their capabilities on a global stage, connecting them with industry leaders and creating pathways to professional success.
Impact: Over the past eight years, our competitions have launched the careers of over 500 participants, with many going on to become industry leaders and innovators in their respective fields.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Country: Open to participants from all countries worldwide
- Age: 18-35 years old at the time of application
- Education Level: Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and early-career professionals
Past Editions: Since our inaugural competition, we have expanded from a single category to five distinct tracks, attracting participants from over 75 countries. Each year builds upon the success of previous editions, raising the bar for excellence and innovation.
2023 Competitions
Here are our winners from the 2023 competition
1st Prize Winner
Winner: Hillary Abongo Oduongo
Project: “KNLS Machakos Public Library”
Thesis: “Contextual Architecture: Designing a Public Library for Today, Rooted in the Past, and Anticipating the Future.”
Supervised by Arch. Dr. Okello Noel J. O., Hillary emerged best overall, representing Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (J.K.U.A.T). His project exemplifies the role of architectural context—cultural, environmental, and physical—in shaping built environments that are timeless. The proposed KNLS Machakos Public Library is envisioned as a bridge between knowledge and community, integrating multi-functional spaces that empower locals through access to both digital and physical information in an intuitive, wayfinding-focused design. Located in Machakos Town, the design draws heavily from its surroundings to create a space uniquely suited to its community.
1st Runner Up
Winner: Salome Akoth Otieno
Project: “Proposed Woodley Children’s Care Centre”
Thesis: “The Role of Inclusive Design in Enhancing User Experience in Children’s Homes; A case of Nairobi.”
Salome Akoth Otieno in her 6th year of study soared high emerging the first runners up with a project entitled Proposed Woodley Children’s Care Centre with her design philosophy centred around inclusivity. Salome Akoth Otieno’s thesis was entitled The Role of Inclusive Design in Enhancing User Experience in Children’s Homes; A case of Nairobi. The Proposed Woodley Children’s Care Centre in Kibra, Nairobi, is founded on the principle of inclusivity, aiming to create a nurturing environment for orphans and vulnerable children. The Proposed Woodley Children’s Care Center is designed around the principle of inclusivity, creating a nurturing environment for orphans and vulnerable children by addressing their psychological, physical, and social needs. Moving beyond the traditional boarding-style model, the center focuses on five key areas: mental and physical stimulation through varied play and sensory spaces; legible wayfinding with color-coded landmarks and clear paths; social inclusion by fostering interaction both within the center and with the wider community; safety through natural surveillance, access control, and child-friendly materials; and privacy by providing age-specific, apartment-style residential units. The project offers a holistic, child-centered approach that promotes growth, security, and a strong sense of belonging
2nd Runner Up
Winner: Victor Thuku Mwaura
Project: “A Sustainable School of Architecture”
Thesis: “Designing for Thermal Comfort: A Sustainable School of Architecture at JKUAT.”
Victor’s project focused on thermal comfort through passive design strategies, establishing an environmentally responsive academic space that minimizes reliance on mechanical ventilation and maximizes natural comfort for its users. Victor represented Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (J.K.U.A.T) as a 6th-year student.
2022 Competitions
Here are our winners from the 2022 competition
EAIA Presidential Award 2022 – Best Project Uganda
Winner: Derek Ayebare Ayebazibwe
Project: “Island Wellness Retreat – Mutuumo Island”
Thesis: “Designing with Empathy: A Wellness Retreat Rooted in Vernacular Traditions and Ecological Sensitivity.”
Derek’s award-winning project is a wellness retreat on Mutuumo Island in Lake Nyabihoko, south-western Uganda. Inspired by the customs and traditions of the local lake communities, the retreat is designed to intertwine spaces, activities, and sustainable practices that nurture empathy toward the ecological and social networks of the island. Using materials like timber, reeds, earth, bamboo, and sisal—drawn from vernacular construction—the design emphasizes minimal ecological impact. Traditional techniques such as mud and wattle informed the stabilised-earth wall finishes, and reed-mat ceiling boards showcase the integration of local craftsmanship into a contemporary architectural language.
2017 Competitions
Here are our winners from the 2017 competition
3rd Place Winner – 2017 Students Competition
Winner: Anthony Kalimungabo Wako
Project: “4–5 Star Holiday Resort Hotel – Ari Atoll, Maldives”
Thesis: “Bridging Tourism and Culture: A Contextual Resort Design Reflecting Maldivian Lifestyles.”
While in Year II of his Master of Architecture (Professional) at Uganda Martyrs University, Anthony designed a luxury holiday resort on a 13,220 SqM island in the Ari Atoll, Maldives. The project explored cultural and environmental synergy by weaving traditional Maldivian activities—craftsmanship, weaving, boat-making, and fishing—into a resort experience. Key programmatic nodes include an Arrival Node, Accommodation Facilities, and an Aquatic Fishing Village, all realized using materials such as coconut palm thatch, marine timber, concrete, and glass.
Anthony is now a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of the Built Environment, Uganda Martyrs University, and the 2024 Graham Foundation Award recipient. He also serves as the Emerging Architect Fellow at the University of Toronto. His work in architectural heritage and colonial/post-colonial narratives has been featured in international conferences and journals, including PLEA 2020, STREMAH 2019/2021, and CAMEA 2021. Notably, he contributed to the 2019 Cross-Cultural Foundation Uganda’s heritage site assessment in Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja.
Competitors Archives
Derek Ayebare
1st Runner Up – 2022
Victor Thuku
2nd Runner Up – 2023
Anthony Kalimungabo Wako
3rd Place – 2017
Hillary Abongo Oduongo
1st Prize Winner
