We are
finally putting African architecture on the map! We specifically start with some work from Kenya. KWCWC (Kenya Women’s and Children’s Wellness Centre) together with architects Perkins+Will, USA/ Triad
Architects, are coming forward with a state of the arts healthcare
facility that provides an array of other wellness facilities that bridge our local,
tradition and Global medicinal needs.
Inpatient Courtyard 01
Stair Cascade
Inpatient Courtyard 02
This amazing structure will encompass a 170-
bed hospital, outpatient clinics for women and children an institute of
learning, a gender violence counseling center, and a family hostel! This is a
ground breaking design. Although, simple it is also very sophisticated in its construction.
It aims to provide modern healthcare as well as tailor to the less robust infrastructure and construction
methods found in our developing world. Therefore the design specifically sets
out to address Kenya with respect to its social customs, local
construction practices and environmental concern.
Context
As we may or may not know, Kenyan citizens like most other Africans area group-oriented rather that
individualistic set of people. Our approach life’s endeavors is through the concept of “Harambee”-based on mutual assistance, mutual effort, mutual responsibility, and
community self-reliance. Refinements were then made to the largely western
like design and its processes to make the typology of the design ‘uniquely' Kenyan.
Bed Ward
The design buries larger scale portions- containing diagnostic facilities below grade and arranges the remaining programs as a series of ‘village like pavilions' of smaller size and similar texture to is surrounding communities. The Government’s mission to “promote and provide quality, curative, preventive and rehabilitative healthcare services to all Kenyans” brings a great relevance to the Gender violence Center- a very essential element to the scheme. This will be cleverly and deliberately secluded from the hospital entry for the privacy of those using it.
Report on ntv news.
Balcony
Bridge Connection
Building wins WAN AWARDS 2011 Healthcare Sector - jury comments
Programme
The pavilion employs typical Kenyan construction methods and these are adjusted to the local climatic conditions e.g.:
The above grade bars employ a simple hollow pot
concrete construction system. This framework is in filled with a lightweight
and porous metal screening and operable window system. A corrugated
metal roof provides enclosure and also extends over the courtyards to create
shaded exterior rooms for patients and visiting families.
Environmentally,
the width ,Fixed at 14 meters wide, including the overhangs,
plays an important role in day lighting and the collection of rainwater
The long
north and south façades are substantially protected from direct solar radiation
while the short east and west façades have porches to help buffer the interior
spaces against low sun light angles.
The design is a fusion of global ideas localized to the people
it serves in Kenya. This project simply illustrated that the model for
healthcare differs globally, and successful programs are those with criteria
with which measure performance according to its locality.
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