Architects:
MASS Design Group
Location: Kigali,
Rwanda
Project Team: Michael Murphy, Alan Ricks, Sierra Bainbridge, Ebberly Strathairn, Branden Collins, Andrew Brose, Marika Shioiri-Clark, Ryan Leidner, Eric Mutabazi
Project Year: 2010
Photographer: Iwan Baan
Consultants: Ujenge Construction and Engineering, K. Dohrety
Landscape Design: Sierra Bainbridge
Built Area: 900 square meters
Design Phase: March 2009 – January 2010
Construction Phase: January 2010 – July 2011
Background
In 2007, UK charity A Partner In Education (APIE), as part of its mission to boost education in Africa, committed to building a new school campus in the Kigali neighbourhood of Kabeza to replace dilapidated existing facilities. MASS was brought on board to select the new site, design the new educational facility, as well as assist in building the organizational structure to support the educational programs for the Kabeza neighbourhood. The school opened in July of 2011 with H.E. President Paul Kagame inaugurating the project.
Contextual Design
The design of the building layout and circulation takes direct inspiration from the neighborhood and the region; due to the hilly landscape, people travel across switchbacks on terraced agricultural land — and the school’s traversing walkways and outdoor classrooms mirror this context. MASS created unique settings for learning with a mix of interior rooms, exterior teaching areas, and terraced play spaces for children. Local materials such as brick and papyrus reeds were used in the construction to cut down on transportation costs, limit the use of imported and often contextually inappropriate materials, and to spur the region’s economy by encouraging local markets. MASS collaborated with local craftsmen to incorporate local expertise in the process. The design employs natural ventilation strategies, and the verendeel trusses in the roof structure create clerestory lighting in order to reduce energy consumption.
Amenities
- 7 buildings with 9 classrooms, library, computer lab, kitchen, and administrative space
- Mixed interior rooms and exterior teaching areas
- Terraced play spaces
If you want your own avatar and keep track of your discussions with the community, sign up to archiDATUM >>
Benin-based architect Pascal De Souza recently completed this beautiful eco-villa situated in Cape Coast, Ghana. The villa, a combination...
The Africa Architecture Awards seek to celebrate design excellence and promote an increased awareness of the role and importance of archi...
Designing out of context and non site-specific projects has been one of the most criticized approach of modern architecture. It follows t...
The Central African State of Rwanda, commonly known as the "land of a thousand hills", is rarely the focus of West European interests. On...
Turkana, for anyone who has had the priviledge of travelling there, is a hot and dusty environment, one that among others provides the ki...
Amidst the senseless construction of commercial urban projects in Bamako, a welcoming vision of nature and beauty stands at the entrance ...