Description//

This project is focused on sustainability and a human centred design with health and wellbeing at its core. The overall modular organisation allows for an efficient construction process and effective use of the steep plot while giving flexibility to the program and the possibility of evolution over time.

The choice of the construction system and materials was inspired by the access to good quality fired clay products in the site’s vicinity. We propose a centuries-old vaulting technique with fired clay components, with compressed earth blocks for the vertical elements, reducing the use of steel and cement which are imported into the country and contribute more carbon to the environment. The floor finish will be done with self levelling epoxy easily found in the country and easy to clean, and the glazing and solar protection devices will be done in glass, steel and local hardwood. By bringing some level of innovation to an already familiar construction material to local workers we expect to be able to enhance local capacity both for labourers and for the local economy. Despite the complexity in appearance, this type of vaults requires very little high-tech and instead it does well with low-tech good quality labour.

The vaults are organised in a serrated teeth system oriented northwest to get indirect natural light and ventilation to all of clinic’s spaces and the attached housing. In addition, the thermal and noise control provided by the walls and the vault, which has a double layer of ceramic and an in- between air chamber provide an internal comfort for both patients and staff. These efforts at well-being are complemented by the multiple patios filled with the pre-existing eucalyptus and indigenous plants of Rwanda and the Great Lakes region; those can be found at the patios as well as at warehouse’s green roof. For the functioning of the clinic’s water purification we propose a dual system combining living machine type tanks with artificial wetlands that use floating and submerged indigenous aquatic plants. In addition we support the functioning of the electrical systems and hot water with the installation of solar panels and solar water heaters over the roofs of the first modules.