Masoro Health Center

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 Rwanda’s severe topography through a series of terraces differentiating curative services, administrative functions, preventive care, maternity services and public gathering.

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 post-occupancy evaluation, as a means to achieve an inclusive and holistic approach to wellness, taking on the coordination of partner groups and the construction management in addition to design. 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.

  • Awards:

    Metropolis Magazine Game Changer 2020

    Society of American Registered Architects Honor Award

    Architizer Project for Good Award

    American Institute of Architects Honor Award

    Media:

    Arch Daily | B

  • General Architecture Collaborative:

    James Setzler

    Patrice Ndababonye

    Nicolas Kalimba Rugamba

    Marie Claire Musengayire

    Cynthia Twagirayezu

    Marie Rose Ukwizabigira

    Iris Gomm

    Mia Shepard

    Yutaka Sho

    Leighton Beaman

     

    Consultants:

    Kate Spade NY On Purpose

    Teach Rwanda

    Gardens for Health International

    Shooting Touch

    Africa Yoga Project

     

    Construction:

    General Architecture Collaborative (planning, design, programming, construction, operation management)

    SKAT(ModernBricks training)

    Junho Chun (structural engineering)

    Photos:

    Katie Garner

    General Architecture Collaborative

    Community Partner:

    Isooko Community Development

  • Architecture

    Landscape Architecture

    Sustainable Agriculture

    Community Engagement

    Participatory Design & Construction

    Local Building Products

    Local Building Practices

    Indigenous Materials

  • Description text goes here