House of Woman

Developed for the Kaira Looro Women’s House Competition, the project proposes a sustainable social and educational center that empowers women in rural Senegal. Organized around a shaded communal courtyard, it provides flexible spaces for learning, healthcare, workshops, and collective decision-making while balancing openness, privacy, and security. Rammed-earth walls, a lightweight timber structure, natural ventilation, and a raised roof create a comfortable, low-impact building rooted in local materials and vernacular traditions. More than a place of refuge, the Women’s House uses architecture to strengthen women’s visibility, agency, and participation within the community.