#BackToSchool - National Teachers Colleges - Winner of ‘Architecture for Good’ Architizer A+ Awards


The Public Award goes to a large-scale renovation and new build facilities near the towns of Kaliro and Mubenda (Uganda).


The ‘Architecture + for Good’ category (Architizer A+A Awards) celebrates projects and architects that use their skills and passions to address crises in collaboration with communities. It acknowledges the extraordinary work of the world's best firms, highlighting the work of pioneering architects and designers as they strive to create architecture that will stand the test of time.

Out of 5,000 entries received from 100+ countries, a team of reputable judges have nominated five finalists within each award category. Popular Choice Winners were awarded in several categories, with over 400,000 votes cast by the voting public.

Oubuntu-DASUDA & BKVV Architects project will support 2,000 students, featuring 24 renovated buildings and 8 new buildings, encompasses student and teacher housing, classroom buildings, energy-efficient kitchens, sports facilities, sustainable energy facilities, waste recycling systems, and food production facilities.

The project is poised to become a reference for institutional developments in the country. It features indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as local artisan technology applications. It also focuses on the enhancement of the green environment through local-bio diversity safeguards and water protection.

NTC uses locally available materials, such as bamboo and earth bricks, that promote community participation. Simple but pleasant architecture optimises natural lighting, ventilation, and passive cooling, resulting in thermal comfort spaces with a relatively low indoor temperature. At the same time, it features low-cost maintenance, as well as a reduction in project and implementation period costs. No air conditioning is required, as all of the buildings have a cool internal temperature.

The project was realised as part of a joint venture collaboration between Oubuntu Consulting, DASUDA, and bkvv architects. The clients of this large-scale project are the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda, and the Belgium Development Agency. The project is funded by the Belgian Government.

The National Teachers Colleges (NTC) is part of an ambitious national programme to improve education in Uganda. The approach for NTC is for future teachers to become examples for a better Uganda. Living and learning at NTC campus is a reflection of that goal.

The NTC project will be published in the next edition of "The World's Best Architecture", a hardbound compendium published annually by the Monacelli Press.

The Minister of State and Ambassador of Belgium signed the Manifesto for Climate Responsive Design during the inauguration ceremony (December 2021), with NTC being the first project in Uganda acknowledged as a best practice example.


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