Project Description

Kweza Craft Brewery began as an idea to create a women-owned, ethically operated brewery utilizing local ingredients cultivated, processed, and brewed through sustainable and equitable practices. We collaborated with Kweza prior to their first commercial batch, designing a pair of buildings and an integrated urban garden that embodied these founding values. The brewery featured two buildings joined by an urban forest and pedestrian walkway, guiding visitors through cultivated gardens of barley, hops, wheat, and other grains, alongside native Rwandan flora. One building housed production, storage, offices, and a sampling bar; the other included a restaurant and multifunctional event spaces. Both were constructed using renewable and regionally sourced materials, including area-harvested wood, locally fired brick, and tile.

The project was aligned with Kigali’s Green City Initiative—a comprehensive framework promoting low-carbon infrastructure, sustainable land use, and inclusive urban development. With green space per capita in Kigali historically falling below World Health Organization recommendations, the project supported the city’s goal of expanding ecological corridors and community-accessible green areas. As part of the urban planning review, the design integrated passive energy systems and green roofs, contributing to Kigali’s broader vision of becoming a continental model for climate-resilient urbanism.