1ST PRIZE
[Sebastiano Baldan, Nazish Pathan, Ashlon Frank]
dubai, united arab emirates
Rwanda has a reputation for being one of the cleanest and now safest countries in Africa. Conservation here is taken seriously and the whole region is known as one of the most biodiverse rainforests on the continent. Acknowledging also the growth of national economy, the design of Hope Dental Clinic clearly presents an opportunity for contextual architecture and environmental awareness.
The proposal for the new Hope Clinic is structured on a number of strategic choices aiming to a functional facility through a sustainable and responsible design vision. The site plan is defined as a sequence of three major zones - clinic and carpark, residents and warehouse - placed in non-dispersive manner so to minimize the use of land, cutting of existing trees and groundworks required.
Attention is given to the clinic spatial organization, arranged around a large podium with public functions at the top and a semi-private courtyard at the bottom. The spaces should facilitate the spontaneous aggregation of people and instill an overall sense of community while offering break-out areas and panoramic points of view.
Centrally positioned and detached from the clinic buzz, a smaller building houses the resident staff, connected to the main clinic via central steps and gentle ramps on the natural descent of the terrain. A small podium in the green nearby is used for meditation and for quiet gatherings.
The warehouse is located at the very bottom, slightly elevated from the road level and accessible through a ramp leading to the loading area for van-size vehicles and container trucks. Although completely separated from the clinic and residents, the warehouse offices are placed on a higher level with controlled access to a dedicated terraced area at the rear.
Emphasis is put on the building materials which should be sourced locally as much as possible so to help the local and national economy. Focus is on the use of Rwanda volcanic rock aggregates, a red-brown color stone which gives a naturally warm and vernacular look to the buildings. Equally important is the implementation of sustainable applications, i.e. passive cooling, cross ventilation, solar thermal panels for hot water, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and ground water recharge by allowing water seepage though permeable outdoor finishes.
Hope Dental Clinic is a clear chance to implement new building standards in Rwanda, a design that while reflecting the modernization of the country should be considerate and respectful of its own traditions and heritage.
The proposal for the new Hope Clinic is structured on a number of strategic choices aiming to a functional facility through a sustainable and responsible design vision. The site plan is defined as a sequence of three major zones - clinic and carpark, residents and warehouse - placed in non-dispersive manner so to minimize the use of land, cutting of existing trees and groundworks required.
Attention is given to the clinic spatial organization, arranged around a large podium with public functions at the top and a semi-private courtyard at the bottom. The spaces should facilitate the spontaneous aggregation of people and instill an overall sense of community while offering break-out areas and panoramic points of view.
Centrally positioned and detached from the clinic buzz, a smaller building houses the resident staff, connected to the main clinic via central steps and gentle ramps on the natural descent of the terrain. A small podium in the green nearby is used for meditation and for quiet gatherings.
The warehouse is located at the very bottom, slightly elevated from the road level and accessible through a ramp leading to the loading area for van-size vehicles and container trucks. Although completely separated from the clinic and residents, the warehouse offices are placed on a higher level with controlled access to a dedicated terraced area at the rear.
Emphasis is put on the building materials which should be sourced locally as much as possible so to help the local and national economy. Focus is on the use of Rwanda volcanic rock aggregates, a red-brown color stone which gives a naturally warm and vernacular look to the buildings. Equally important is the implementation of sustainable applications, i.e. passive cooling, cross ventilation, solar thermal panels for hot water, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and ground water recharge by allowing water seepage though permeable outdoor finishes.
Hope Dental Clinic is a clear chance to implement new building standards in Rwanda, a design that while reflecting the modernization of the country should be considerate and respectful of its own traditions and heritage.
