The Shelter
Pavilion, 2021
Senagal
Design: ZHANG Jie, YANG Chen, DU Weiwei
For Kaira Looro Architecture Competition
To enhance the well-being of women in underdeveloped villages in Senegal, education is at the core of this project. We proposed a pavilion that provides educational opportunities for girls and women who have not had access to basic education or vocational training.
Beyond being a place for research and communication, the pavilion serves as a bridge for intergenerational dialogue among local women. It establishes a system where women can support one another, share knowledge, skills, and life experiences, and, most importantly, collaborate to educate the younger girls in the community.
The pavilion consists of an open structure, intersected by a rural road, intended for events and exhibitions, alongside auxiliary buildings such as restrooms, storage, and administrative spaces. The goal is to reinterpret the concept of "shelter" as an open, public space, encouraging greater participation from women in society, rather than creating a closed, self-contained environment.
Given the limitations of technology, the design uses low-cost materials and natural elements to create functional spaces. The pavilion also offers a meaningful educational landscape that can accommodate various activities, including open courses, labs, workshops, and exhibitions. Chairs and cushions are provided, allowing women to adapt the space to their needs.
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About
The Lab
Founded in 2019, ReBuild Lab focus on urban spaces and everyday constructions.
Outstanding Proposal (2023, China)Zhoushan Hello Islands Installation Competition
Honorable Mention (2023, Italy)
Reuse Italy Competition
Honorable Mention (2022, Estonia)
Tallinn Architecture Biennale-Vision Competition
Shortlist Nomination (2021, USA)
Ann Arbor Art Center-Alley Project
First Place (2020, UK)
Bubble Future Competition
Second Place (2019, India)
Archasm Competition
Members
ZHANG Jie / 张婕is a spatial designer and artist based in Shanghai. She trained as an architect at Huaqiao University and the University of Hong Kong from 2013 to 2020. Since relocating to Shanghai in 2020, she has focused on small-scale installations and spatial design, while continuously providing commercial interior design services for retail companies and government projects.
YANG Chen / 杨晨 is an architectural designer and illustrator based in Florence. He studied architecture at Huaqiao University (2013-2018) and Politecnico di Torino (2019-2021), and has worked at WNA Architects in Torino and ACE Srl. in Florence.
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