JISC Design Competition 2020 Book

Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Jinkai Shelter Competition - Unifying
Humanity, Housing and Hope
Our modern times are filled with uncertainty, disruption, chaos, and all too often, crises. Regardless of
nation, nationality, region or race, we all face significant challenges to the ways we live, to the values we hold,
and to the future we desire. And yet, despite the drama and distraction, and the complexity and confusion, we
have cause for optimism and reasons to be encouraged. William Butler Yeats once noted that “Education is not
the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” It is through such a spark that imaginations are unleashed, passion
is harnessed, creatively is cultivated and solutions attained. The youth of today, curious, clever, equipped and
ready, are destined to inherit problems of epic proportions yet stand prepared to move our world ahead in novel,
sensational and potent ways. They will be charged with tackling today’s messy situations and wicked catastrophes
to bring us to a bolder, brighter and better tomorrow.
The Jinkai Shelter Initiative had its origins in an inspired coffee chat between a medical doctor and an
architecture professor. Several years back Dr. Emmanuel Gye and Dr. Brian R. Sinclair enjoyed spirited and
energizing conversation, at the crack of dawn, in a bohemian café in Calgary’s inner city. Fuelled with a shared
conviction around humanitarian concerns and a belief in the power of youth, they bounced around ideas
about health, culture, conflict, climate, housing and quality of life. Dr. Ema and his wife Pamela had a vision
to bring affordable housing to displaced people of war-torn Northern Nigeria. Dr. Brian had a track record of
educating students concerning architecture’s power to address rights, wellness, safety and dignity. These two
men, their training, their knowledge, and their inclinations, were woven inextricably together that day in that
urban café. Arising from their dialogues, aspirations and directions was the Jinkai Shelter Competition. Over
the many ensuing months and days, the competition was defined, delineated, shaped and sculpted. The goal was
to craft a unique competition that would bring talented Nigerian Architecture students to the table, with pens,
paper, stylus and computer in hand, with a focus on designing housing for the countless scores of individuals
and families whose lives had been shattered and overturned through conflict, violence, displacement and
discrimination.
As the competition’s requirements were being determined many issues were explored, including matters
of site, materials, size, character and construction. A key goal was to charge students to meet challenges around
culture, affordability, and, crucially, connection to place. While Ema and Brian were shaping the competition
objectives, structure and guidelines, together with adviser Daniela Gusman, they were concurrently assembling a
stellar jury of accomplished professionals to evaluate the competition entries. Joining Dr. Sinclair in his capacity
as Chief Jury Member were a cast of remarkable experts: Samuel Oghale Oboh, James Inedu George, Stephen
Inji Makama and Chika Daniels-Akunekwe. The jury members were deep in knowledge and rich in experience
-- deliberations were intense and spirited, clearly bringing to the fore the passion, convictions, aspirations and
expectations of the judging team. They were like-minded in their dedication to protecting human rights, to
improving quality of life, to seeking excellence in design, and to pursuing sustainable development goals.
JINKAI Initiative Shelter Competition
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