Competition: Design a Community Kitchen Programme

Date: Fri Sep 19 2025

Time: 00:30 GMT+0100 (British Summer Time)

Location: London

Hey there! Are you passionate about design and community engagement? Join us for this exciting online event where you can showcase your creativity and come up with innovative ideas for a community kitchen programme. Let your imagination run wild and be a part of something meaningful for a community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference!

Introduction

The Kula Foundation invites designers, architects, and community-focused innovators to propose a dynamic community kitchen for an existing community site, allotment, or school. This initiative aims to foster social interaction, provide access to cooking facilities, and promote sustainability through thoughtful design.

Design Objectives

• Core Functionality: A functional and efficient kitchen space (~25m²) to accommodate community cooking and learning.
• Flexibility: Additional programmes that can integrate into the core design to maximise utility.
• Sustainability: Use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient solutions, and water-saving systems.
• Accessibility: Fully inclusive design to meet the needs of diverse users, including those with disabilities.
• Social Value: Foster community engagement, education, and skill-building through collaborative spaces.

Key Requirements

1. Main Kitchen Space (25m²):

Layout:

o Central workstation with space for up to 4 people.

o Adequate space for food preparation, cooking, and cleaning.

Fixtures and Appliances:

o Sustainable energy-powered cooktops (electric/smokeless woodstove preferred).

o Large sink with water-saving taps.

o Ample countertop space using durable and eco-friendly materials.

o Modular shelving and storage for utensils and ingredients.

o Natural Ventilation methods.

o Waste management solutions (composting bins/areas, recycling stations).

Lighting:

o Natural daylight maximisation with supplemental Solar LED lighting.

2. Additional Programmes:

Designs must include examples of supplementary programmes, integrated into the overall layout, here are some general examples:

Outdoor Dining/Seating Area:

o Covered or semi-covered area for up to 20 people.

o Modular furniture to adapt to different event sizes.

Urban Garden or Allotment:

o Space for growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits.

o Rainwater harvesting system for irrigation.

Educational Hub:

o Space for workshops on cooking, nutrition, and sustainable practices.

o Digital capabilities (e.g., projector, whiteboards) for training sessions.

Food Pantry:

o Storage area for distributing surplus food to the community.

o Refrigeration for perishable items.

3. Materials and Sustainability:

· Prioritise local, recycled, or upcycled materials.

· Solar panels or other renewable energy sources for power.

· Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems.

· Use of passive cooling and heating techniques.

4. Accessibility and Safety:

· Step-free access throughout.

· Fire safety measures

5. Integration with Site Context:

· Sensitive to the existing environment (cultural, environmental, and spatial considerations).

· Use design elements that reflect the identity of the local community.

· Provide sketches for utility usage (water, power, and waste management).

Submission Requirements

1. You must be a group of 2 or more persons

2. Entry Registration is via our EventBrite page

3. Design Proposal (PDF):

o 2 x A3 PDFs (Digital)

o Include at least one of the following (Include scaled dimensions – This could be a rough sketch, no design experienced required):

§ Floor plan

§ Elevations

§ Sections

o Concepts sketches, visualisations or renders.

o Annotated diagrams explaining key features.

4. Sustainability Statement (500 words):

o Explain the eco-friendly aspects of the design.

o Describe how the project minimises environmental impact.

5. Social Value Statement (500 words):

o Detail how the design fosters community engagement and skill-building.

o Provide examples of anticipated community benefits.

6. Cost Consideration:

o Outline cost considerations and its use case for materials, labour, and maintenance in context to the country.

*We encourage the use of modern technology and AI writing tools but we do expect a level of understanding around your proposal as we may choose to contact you on areas of your design if shortlisted.

Judging Criteria

1. Innovation and Creativity (30%): Unique, practical, and adaptable design solutions.

2. Sustainability (20%): Eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, and waste management.

3. Social Value (30%): Ability to engage and benefit the local community.

4. Feasibility (20%): Realistic construction and maintenance costs.

Competition Timeline

· Launch Announcement: 3rd February 2025

· Registration Period: 3rd February – 8th September 2025

· Submission Deadline: 19th September 2025

· Judging Period: 26th September 2025

· Winner Announcement: 29th September 2025

Prizes / Honourable Mention

Honourable Mentions: Certificates + social media/website showcase.

Submission Guidelines

All proposals must be submitted via email as follows:

• Email: info@thekulafoundation.org
• Email Subject: KULA Community Kitchen Competition Entry

Include design files, and written statements.

File size limit: 25MB (PDF format).

Deadline: 11:59 PM GMT, 19th September 2025.

Contact Information

Email: info@thekulafoundation.org

Website: thekulafoundation.org

FAQs: Questions will be collated through out the first week and uploaded to our website

We thank you for considering the competition and wish you all the best.

Thank You,

The Kula Foundation Team