Eco-Chapel – Rebuilding Forests in Ethiopia.
Religion is a collection of designated thoughts and beliefs which were born by the virtue of nature, that relates to humanity and spirituality collectively. Forces of nature constitute the basis for spiritual beliefs for a lot of communities. Even though its definition was never absolute and varied drastically between one community and other, nature was somehow a common link between these mythological stories that were weaving culture and societies.
People worshiped gods of natural elements establishing a relationship. Yet, depleting resources for serving the growing population and development of mankind was inevitable.
Now, most parts of the world are facing the dire consequences of Global Warming and Climate Change. There are a few communities that are trying to reinstate years of spoliation by means of their faith.
The churches of Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo, the dominant religious group in the country with nearly 50 million members were almost always nestled in patches of dense forest.
CHALLENGE
The active conservationists and priests of the “forest churches” have seen a significant change in the immediate vicinity of the environment around these chapels. The quality of water improved, tree seedlings survived, pollinators are benefitting the nearby agricultural lands as well. There is a remarkable difference in the temperature of enclosed forest spaces.
The Chapels are igniting a ray of hope in preserving and expanding the remaining flora and fauna. Can these “Eco-Chapels” be augmented into something that serves the community beyond creating forests?
Short Description
The challenge here is to conceive a forest chapel and community center for the Ethiopian Tribes and communities. It must be built in a way to contribute to growing the forest instead of only “preserving” them. The church can be a junction point for exchanging knowledge and spreading awareness about drastic depleting forests in their country.
Organizer
Terra
Link to Competition
Link to Registration form
Prizes
Prizes:
Prize pool of worth 4000$
First Prize: 1500$ (For students and professionals)
Runner up: 800$ (For students and professionals)
People’s Choice: 450$ (For students – Most appreciated project wins this)
People’s Choice: 450$ (For students – Most appreciated project wins this)
Honorable mention x 2 (Students): 200$ Each
Honorable mention x 2 (Professionals): 200$ Each
Type of Competition
Open to the public/Minimum requirements (Open to anyone that complies with the requirements), Single stage (Winners selected immediately)
Who can Participate
The minimum eligible age for participation is 18 years.
There is no restriction on the degree of design disciplines to participate in the challenge.
Participation in the competition can happen in a team as well as an individual.
The maximum numbers of participants in a team are 4.
Dates and Time Frame
Registration Closes May 18, 2020
Deadline to Submit Project June 9, 2020
Winners announcement Date August 6, 2020
Languages
English
Location of Competition
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Additional Information