La Pyramide Architecture Competition, Abidjan building

La Pyramide Architecture Competition Abidjan, Ivory Coast building, West African architecture contest

La Pyramide Architecture Competition, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

17 May 2026

Location: Le Plateau, the iconic heart of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Ivory Coast, west Africa

La PyramIde: The Futuristic soul of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

Architecture Competition Page: https://idoarch.com/la-pyramide

In the heart of Abidjan’s administrative district, La Pyramide rises as a 62-meter monument to the era of the “Ivorian Miracle.” Designed by architect Rinaldo Olivieri and engineer Riccardo Morandi between 1968 and 1973, a 15-story brutalist landmark meant to announce Côte d’Ivoire onto the global stage.

Known as “The Lady of the Plateau,” the building is instantly recognizable by its rhythmic concrete geometry and its radical hollow-core design, allowing light and air to circulate naturally through the vast interior. Olivieri carefully adapted the project to Abidjan’s tropical climate: the open, exposed structure encouraged ventilation, while the exterior panels shielded the building from intense sunlight and gave it a futuristic, spaceship-like appearance.

At the time, La Pyramide was considered an engineering marvel. It was designed to contain a vibrant mix of boutiques, offices, and public spaces, all supported by an underground parking garage, a symbol of modern urban ambition in post-independence West Africa.

Over time, however, humidity, aging infrastructure, and rising maintenance costs led to the building’s gradual decline. Its silhouette never disappeared from Abidjan’s skyline. Today, La Pyramide is no longer viewed as a failed project, but as one of the most powerful symbols of African Modernism, a memory of extraordinary optimism and a challenge to a new generation of architects to rethink the future of the African city.

Location:

The site of La Pyramide is located in Le Plateau, the iconic heart of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Coordinates: 5°19′19.9″N 4°00′57.9″W

This district is a study in architectural contrasts, defined by its high-rise skyline and its position overlooking the Ébrié Lagoon.

Le Plateau serves as the administrative, financial, and commercial epicenter of the country.

The district experiences a radical shift in density; it is a bustling hub of activity during the day that falls into a deep silence after business hours.

The Design Challenge

The objective is to repurpose La Pyramide to make it habitable, transforming a celebrated but empty monument into a functional, living part of the city.

The design should:

• Make it Habitable

Propose a program that breathes life back into the Building.

• Respect the Existing Structure

The primary task is the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the existing Structure. Any changes in the form should be justified by your conceptual approach to the building’s new life.

• Social & Urban Integration
Design a project that bridges the gap between the formal business district of Le Plateau and the vibrant life of Abidjan.

Awards and Prizes:

All awarded projects will be featured across various architectural platforms, magazines, and websites.

• First Winner: 600€ + Full AI Course (Comfy UI Masterclass by Lighthouse Academy) + 6 Months Free Premium Plan (Run Diffusion).
• Second Winner: 300€ + 6 Months Free Premium Plan (Run Diffusion).
• Third Winner: 100€ + 6 Months Free Premium Plan (Run Diffusion).

Timeline:

All key dates and deadlines for the competition are outlined below:

• June 1: Registration Starts at 23:59 Central European Time (CET)
• August 31: Submission Deadline at 23:59 Central European Time (CET)
• November 1: Winners Announced at 23:59 Central European Time (CET)

Registration Fees:

The first 50 registration spots are available for free. Once those are filled, the following fees apply:

• Individual: 5€
• Team: 5€ per member (up to 4 members / 20€ maximum)
• Studio/Office: 30€

Submission Requirements:

• Concept
• Conceptual Diagrams
• Perspective/Render
• Section
• Site Plan / Floor Plans

Jury

Each jury is carefully selected, bringing together professionals whose expertise directly relates to the focus of the competition:

• Issa Diabaté – President & Chief Executive Officer of Koffi & Diabaté Architects
• Lucia Oberfrancová – Research Assistant & Teacher at Hochschule Wismar
• Mouaz Abouzaid – Founder & Design Principal of VERFORM
• Maria Stasevich – Architectural Designer & Founder of OBLIK
• Saul Kim – Architect / Designer
• Thierry Gedeon – Architect

FA – La Pyramide Architecture Competition in Abidjan

• How do I register?
Go to our Competition Page and click on Register Button.

• Who can participate in IDOARCH competitions?

Participation is open to all Students and Professionals.

• Is there a participation fee?
We offer free entry for a limited number of spots. After these are filled, participants can register by paying a fee starts from 5 euro only!

• Can teams submit Entries?
Yes, teams (Max 4 members) can participate, but be sure to list all team members during registration.

• Am I allowed to submit more than one entry for the same competition?

Participants can submit one project per competition. Additional projects can be submitted by paying an additional fee.

IDOARCH

• Vision:
Create an inclusive platform where creatives from all backgrounds can collaborate and shape a sustainable future for architecture.

• Mission:
Our platform is a learning tool, a launchpad for ideas, and an inclusive space where everyone regardless of background can participate, grow, and express their vision.

• Commitment:
Providing space for visibility with expert feedback, and growth within a supportive global community.

La Pyramide Architecture Competition Abidjan, Ivory Coast building, West Africa images / information received 170526

Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa.