A Queensland architecture practice has been shortlisted in an international open design competition for a new conservation centre in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition attracted more than 100 entries from 32 different countries, however only four will advance to the next stage.
Australian firm Hayman and Charlton Architects have been shortlisted, alongside fellow contenders DCS and Architects (Italy), Studio Moren (UK), and Void Studios (UK).
Entrants were challenged with designing an “innovative and engaging” conservation centre that could be used to facilitate tourist education about conservation in the reserve and the traditions of the Maasai people. The purpose of the centre is to deepen visitors’ knowledge of the significance of the Maasai Mara region – as the site where millions of animals journey to during the Great Migration that occurs annually.
Florence Nyole, who serves as the president of the Architectural Association of Kenya and as a member of the competition jury, said the contest garnered “outstanding architectural talent,” with many submissions capturing both the spirit of place and the Maasai culture.
“The forms, the rich colours and the flow of spaces met the brief with most of them exceeding our expectations. It was a tough session for the jury but the emerging top four showed exemplary solutions that can be taken further to give conservancy a breathtaking centre,” said Nyole.
The shortlisted candidates will receive comprehensive feedback on their proposals to facilitate additional refinement before the final presentation of the scheme and an interview.
The winning practice will be announced in November 2024.
