In The News
"Collaborative learning, according to experts, unleashes a unique intellectual and social energy. We can attest to that phenomenon" - The Third Teacher
The Generosity of the Human Spirit: Classroom Challenge (Oprah's Angel Network)
School Design In Disaster-Prone Areas (AScribe Public Interest Newswire)
Discussion Forums
General Questions
Do you have general questions about participating in the challenge? Post them here, or see if they have already been asked and answered.
Partner Requests
Are you a school that needs an architect to team up with, or a architect that needs a school? Post your information here, and find a partner!
MBI Discussion Forum
Looking for answers to specific modular classrooms questions? Ask you questions on the Modular Building Institute forum.
Competition Details
Host: Architecture for Humanity
Registration Deadline: May 4, 2009
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2009
Entry Fee: $25 USD (waived for entrants from developing nations)
Jury: Leaders in education and architecture (including students) to be hosted online and at the 2009 Aspen Ideas Festival. Members include Dave Eggers, Michelle Kaufmann, Saul Griffith, Kigge Hvid and others.
Award: If your design wins, your school will receive up to $50,000 in funding for classroom construction and upgrading. You will receive a grant of $5,000 to help them do it.
Students and Teachers
Together with our educational partners we have developed resources for teachers and students entering the challenge.
Need help finding an architect or designer? Find a professional near you.
Feedback
Questions, comments, suggestions?
Contact us at: challenge@architectureforhumanity.org
The submission period has ended. To the tens of thousands of participants and hundreds of schools from more than 65 countries, thank you.
From June 5th to July 3rd more than 60 jurors will review all the entries to select the best of the best. Stay tuned for more information and announcements.
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Teachers and students know what makes a classroom work. We're inviting you to design the classroom of the future together.
According to the World Bank, educating all children worldwide will require the construction of 10 million new classrooms in more than 100 countries by 2015. At the same time, millions of existing classrooms are in serious need of repair and refurbishment.
Let's get started.
We are inviting you, teachers, students, architects and designers, to work together to design the classroom of the future for a school of your choosing. Your design should address the unique challenges your school faces in trying to provide smart, safe and sustainable learning spaces. Students and teachers, here's your chance to tell the world what you need to make your classroom more effective. Architects and designers, you'll work one-on-one with students to translate those needs into better classroom design.
- Share your design expertise and inspire school students to re-imagine their classroom
- Help students learn about the built environment using a companion design curriculum
- Become an advocate for better classroom design in your community
If your design wins, your school will receive up to $50,000 in funding for classroom construction and upgrading. You will receive a grant of $5,000 to help them do it.
Finalists From Previous Challenges
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The Shaded Village project aims to integrate the traditions and culture of the indigenous community with the Fair-trade market needs in an environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy complex deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon.Learn More |
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This proposal aims to act not only like a mere physical entity, but a total investment program that has a potential to help the people of the region to cope with their problems, from the money flow processes up to post-construction consequences. Learn More |
Videos
View larger videos
Webcasts from Global Nomads
View larger video Video by AFH |
View larger video Video by Orient Global |
School Building Partners
Urban Classroom Upgrade
Rumi Schools of Excellence, Orient Global’s chain of low-cost private schools, is the first chain of truly affordable private schools in India. Rumi Schools of Excellence aims at improve educational quality by providing assistance with management, curriculum, teacher training, and upgrading of the existing school facilities. These schools provide an education to low-income communities at an affordable cost.
 Relocatable Classroom Design |
 Rural Classroom Addition |
