African Parks, in partnership with the Government of South Sudan's Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, has announced an international design competition for the headquarters of Badingilo National Park. The competition seeks innovative architectural solutions for a ground-level headquarters complex that will serve as the operational hub for several national parks in the region and support the largest land mammal wildlife migration on the planet.
The competition is open to architects and final-year architecture or construction students worldwide, inviting them to design a sustainable headquarters complex located at coordinates 5°6'26.9094"N, 31°54'11.6676"E within Badingilo National Park. The park covers over 10,000 square kilometers and represents a critical component of Africa's natural heritage conservation efforts. The new headquarters will accommodate administrative, residential, research, and visitor functions while serving as a model of sustainable, affordable, and climate-adapted architecture.
Participants must register by September 10, 2025, by sending an email to bhqdesign@africanparks.org to receive a unique competition code required for all submission materials. The design challenge emphasizes the use of earth-based materials such as rammed earth, compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), and adobe to withstand both the extreme heat of the dry season and heavy rains during the wet season. All buildings must be single-story structures that integrate seamlessly with the flat savanna landscape and cultural traditions of South Sudan.
The comprehensive program requirements include a central building of up to 600 square meters to house two directors, six senior managers, seven mid-level managers, and a conference room. Additional facilities include a 200-square-meter research and reception building featuring exhibition and museum space, research offices, a GIS unit, multipurpose room, and café. The complex must also incorporate a staff canteen, parade ground, solar power generation node, law enforcement block with four offices, briefing room, storage, and armory, plus an infirmary and four-unit guesthouse for visitors and consultants.
The residential component requires 13 senior staff accommodation units of 45 square meters each, including one bedroom, open kitchen and living area, bathroom, and terrace. Supporting amenities include a gymnasium capable of serving 10 people and a soccer field. Participants may optionally design a connection between the central and research buildings to enhance operational efficiency.
Submission requirements are extensive and detailed, demanding a masterplan at 1:500 scale showing both new and existing infrastructure, along with floor plans, sections, and elevations at 1:200 scale. Three-dimensional renderings and perspectives must accompany basic structural plans covering foundation, wall, and roof types, plus detailed drawings as needed. A comprehensive design statement limited to 1,000 words and a material and sustainability report are mandatory, with bonus points awarded for including a bill of quantities.
Judging criteria emphasize contextual fit and landscape integration (20%), sustainability and earth-material strategy (20%), functionality and spatial clarity (20%), affordability and constructability including bill of quantities quality (15%), clarity of design and presentation (15%), and construction readiness with structural clarity (10%). An additional 7.5% bonus is available for submissions including a complete bill of quantities, reflecting the competition's emphasis on practical implementation.
Winning designs may be partially or fully constructed within Badingilo National Park, with designers receiving full credit for their work and invitations to attend the official opening ceremony. This unique opportunity allows participants to witness their architectural vision come to life in one of Africa's most significant wildlife conservation areas. The submission deadline is October 25, 2025, at midnight Juba time (GMT+2), with results announced on November 15, 2025, via email and the park's Instagram page @boma_badingilo_southsudan.
The competition represents a significant opportunity for emerging and established architects to contribute to conservation efforts while demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable, climate-resilient architecture in challenging environments. More information is available on the African Parks website at africanparks.org, with competition materials available for download through the official announcement.
