Masoro Health Center Wellness Education by General Architecture Collaborative |
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| DESIGN NAME: Masoro Health Center PRIMARY FUNCTION: Wellness Education INSPIRATION: In low-income and rural regions like Masoro, education and prevention are crucial for improving health, which requires buy-in and trust from the community. The Center is designed to be a public space where people from the area feel welcome to visit even when not in need of care. We used the entirety of the architectural process, from planning to construction, as a means to achieve an inclusive and holistic approach to inclusive, and socially just design practices. UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Masoro Health Center in Rwanda is a public campus offering comprehensive healthcare and wellness programs, improved hygiene standards, and spaces open for all community members regardless of their health or financial status. The project navigates Rwandas severe topography through a series of terraces differentiating curative services, administrative functions, preventive care, maternity services and public gathering. OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The resulting project is a diverse and varied spatial experience where the interior, exterior, pathways and distant rolling hills are integrated to provide accessibility and physical and visual connections, privileging pedestrians, and providing flexibility for current and future needs. The project uses locally sustainable sources building materials, including materials from the project site. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Began 2015, Phase 1 Completed 2020. Masoro Village, Rwanda FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Architecture, Building and Structure Design |
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Our approach to the site, defined by steep slopes and rough terrain, was culturally specific and community focused. Rather than continuing with the conventional approach of building fortress-like retaining walls, we dispersed these elements throughout the site, to compose a series of terraces which differentiate programs and provide openness. Where possible, we displaced the heavy and intensive retaining walls using alternate scoring patterns along slopes to plant native grasses, slowing water run-off. SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Interior : 1000 square meters TAGS: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Healthcare, Wellness, Community, Inclusive Design, Sustainability, Participatory Design, Education RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Our research focuses on using both locally sourced materials and creating inclusive practices. We directed funds to hire and train local residents to construct the project, especially women who are seldom invited to participate in constructing the built environment. Local builders in turn gained skills, income, future work in the construction industry from this project. CHALLENGE: Our challenge in designing and building this project was centered around how to create frameworks for inclusion and social equity in the built environment with limited resources. Since we were able to guide the project from initial meetings to final construction we wanted to be able to use the entire design/build process to advance this core agenda. ADDED DATE: 2022-02-23 15:37:57 TEAM MEMBERS (3) : Yutaka Sho, James Setzler and Leighton Beaman IMAGE CREDITS: Credits: General Architecture Collaborative Copyright: General Architecture Collaborative 2022 PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to: General Architecture Collaborative, 2022 |
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| Visit the following page to learn more: https://www.gacollaborative.org/ | |||||
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NAME: General Architecture Collaborative PROFILE: GAC is a design-nonprofit focused on creating inclusive, thoughtfully designed spaces in East Africa and North America that sustain communities and the environment. Founded in 2010, GAC works with individuals, institutions, communities and industry across scales and disciplines, from small scale playgrounds, to large scale campuses. |
| AWARD DETAILS | |
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Masoro Health Center Wellness Education by General Architecture Collaborative is Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category, 2021 - 2022.· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with General Architecture Collaborative. · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by General Architecture Collaborative. |
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