Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design

Patrick Schweitzer et Associés Architectes·Kigali, Rwanda

2018Institutional · Higher Education and Research FacilitiesEducational

Year: 2018
Category: Institutional · Higher Education and Research Facilities
Type: Educational
Status: Built
Firm: Patrick Schweitzer et Associés Architectes
Location: Kigali, Rwanda

The architecture Practice Patrick Schweitzer & Associés responded to the international call launched by the Government of Rwanda in March 2012 for the construction of the new Faculty of architecture in Kigali. This school covers an area of 5 600 square meters and has the capacity to accommodate 600 students. It is located in the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology campus in Nyarugenge District. The works started in early 2017 and were completed at the end of 2017. The building is the result of a global site analysis.

Its architecture is inspired by the territory and by colors and shapes found in Nature. The four natural elements are represented in the conception of the building: Fire: orange color, Water: inner garden, Air: circulations, and Earth: lava rock and rammed earth. We created prisms inspired by Rwanda landscape and topography. The Practice was determined to build a project which is by itself a pedagogic tool. Indeed, the architecture shows the building process to the students. It is also fundamental for the aspiring young architects to be encouraged to use local resources.

Ceilings and joineries are made of local wood, slabs were cast-in-place and traditional removable formwork were also used, thus fostering local sectors. Halfway between traditional and contemporary architecture, the building is based on a simple and didactic architecture in an African developing country where population is expected to double by 2050. Credits: - CATIC - Contractor - Executive architect - Yannick MIARA - Photographer - Edwin SEDA -