SMALL PROJECT BIG IMPACT
Winning Team JEEVANSHALA by Vihara Architects
The SMALL project BIG impact design challenge invited designers, architects, engineers and creative thinkers to propose small-scale projects that deliver meaningful impact. The focus is on ideas that serve a charitable purpose, support humanitarian goals, or contribute to wildlife conservation.
JEEVANSHALA, by Vihara Architects — Padmaraj Rangole and Kavya Nambiar — was selected as the winning project for its community led approach to education and its ambition to create a school that feels like a welcoming part of village life. Located in the rugged terrain of the Satpuda Mountain Range is home to the five tribal communities. Displaced by historical dam construction, these marginalized families continue to live in remote mountain settlements severely lacking basic public infrastructure. Access to quality education, healthcare, and essential municipal services remains heavily constrained by difficult geography, inadequate infrastructure, and systemic institutional neglect.
The design process relies on a localized, participatory methodology: conducting on-site climatic analysis, documenting indigenous building techniques, and engaging the tribal communities of the region to ensure spatial layouts respect their cultural context.
The winning project will now move towards the next stage of development, transforming the proposal into a built project.
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Ten Honourable Mentions:
Alongside the winning project, ten projects were recognised for their thoughtful responses to social, humanitarian, environmental and community needs.
Minawao Refugee Camp Maternity Centre
by Mahamat Talba, Nankeng Erica Reine, Arthur Nlenghen A Ngon, Makoal Bambourbo Raoul, Bekada Owana Frank Loic
Waynanu Artisan Center
by Daniel Canchán Zúñiga, Paula Villar Pastor, Andrés Reyes Godoy, Jimena González Ochoa, María Hidalgo Mera, Espacio Común
A Learning Landscape
by Team Mixⁿ — Jing-Ying Su and Hsiung-I Yao
The Green Cart
by Johan Rey, Kruti Shah, Sebastian Trujillo-Torres Developed by Chaal Chaal Agency, assemble.berlin, and CleanHub
Axolotuario
by Itamar Lilienthal from Casa Tamarindo
The Damees al Jannah School
by Muhammad Mehdi, Wajiha Siddiqui, Mahrukh Siddiqui, Abdul Rasheed Khoso, Student Volunteers & Design/Material Research Facility provided by University of Karachi
Reed to Resource
by LTL Architects — Principals: Paul Lewis, Marc Tsurumaki, David J. Lewis; Design Team: Patty Hazle and Nolan Hill
KuNa — Bamboo Social Housing
by Nicholas Kaspareck (Casa Congo), Neil Thomas (Atelier One), Roberto Tapia (Bambuver)
সস্তা (Shos-ta)
by Tahsin Adiba Rahman, Sabina Akter (SILT); Rhitu Prova Debnath, Nabila Hossain Raisa, (BRACU); Rinthia Afrin, (PUST)
Flowing Grounds
by Md. Hasibul Alam Sampod