Tag: kigali | ArchDaily

Brick Tower Mixed Use Building / ASA Studio

Miwa Negoro — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 02:00:00 +0000

A locally built brick tower rises from a sea of corrugated-iron roofs in an upgrading Kigali neighborhood, proving that a comfortable, naturally ventilated high-rise can be built with local materials, without air conditioning or high technology.

MASS: A Non-Profit Model for Architecture in Service of Society

Mohieldin Gamal — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:30:00 +0000

At the time of writing, an article by Martyn Evans asked 'Is Architecture in Crisis?' In the same year, Reinier de Graaf published the book 'Architecture Against Architecture,' where he set out fourteen problems with the profession and discipline. The question of a crisis in architecture is a perennial one. Referring to architecture as a profession, it rears its head especially when economic downturns are expected or in full swing. Simultaneously, there are ongoing questions regarding the effectiveness of architecture at dealing with the pressing matters of the globe and society—housing, climate change, and human development. One venture that attempts to address these questions is MASS, established in Rwanda not long after the 2008 financial crisis. The clue is in the name, which stands for Model of Architecture Serving Society. MASS was created as a different way of practicing architecture.

Modernist Hotels in East Africa: A Reflection of National Identity

Mohieldin Gamal — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The middle of the Twentieth Century saw the independence of most countries on the African continent. Those euphoric times brought forward-looking sentiments and a wish to break with the past. As an architectural movement, Modernism was ideal for the day, and newly independent countries had extensive building programs to assert themselves as fully functioning nations.

Norrsken Kigali House / Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS)

Valeria Silva — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 02:00:00 +0000

East Africa boasts three of the world’s top ten fastest-growing economies but faces major challenges in attracting foreign direct investment to accelerate the growth of small and growing businesses. In partnership with MASS, Norrsken seeks to address this by launching Norrsken Kigali House, an entrepreneurship hub in Kigali, Rwanda.

Amman, Bogota, and Freetown Among the 15 Winning Cities of the 2021 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge

Dima Stouhi — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 06:30:00 +0000

Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced the 15 winning innovations of its 2021-2022 Global Mayors Challenge. Hailing from six continents, the chosen projects "seek improvements in the areas of economic recovery and inclusive growth, health and well-being, climate and environment, and gender and equality". The winning cities include Istanbul, Rotterdam, Butuan, and Wellington, and will all receive $1 million and external support to develop their programs.

How "Smarter" Cities Can Exacerbate Inequity

Matthew Maganga — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 07:30:00 +0000

The urban metropolises of our planet are home to an abundance of stories. They are home to stories of wealth, of innovation, and of architectural marvels. They are home, too, to stories of inequality, inequity and of urban divides – places where one’s income determines the quality of the spatial environment around them. Within these stories has developed an increasing advocation for making cities “smarter”, the goal being to use data and digital technology to build more efficient and convenient urban environments.

Umubano Primary School Extension / ASA Studio

Hana Abdel — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:00:00 +0000

APIE, A Partner In Education, is planning for the expansion of the Umubano Primary School in Kanombe. The proposal is to build a new classrooms block to host three classes of 30 students, one multipurpose hall to host about 300 people, and the related services (kitchen, storage, toilets). Classrooms and hall will follow the topography of the site and connect to the existing school through horizontal pathways.

Rwanda Cricket Stadium / Light Earth Designs

Daniel Tapia — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 22:00:00 +0000

The project is part of work undertaken by Light Earth Designs for the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation over a 5-year period on how Rwanda can transition from an agriculture-based economy to development using local labor-intensive construction techniques, thereby avoiding imports, lowering carbon, and building skills and economies. The primary enclosure of the cricket stadium, the vaults, adapts ancient Mediterranean tile-vaulting (using compressed soil-cement tiles) to a moderate seismic context by using geogrid reinforcing in the layers and bearing the springing points of the curved vaults on the ground. The vaults follow the natural resolution of forces toward the ground, closely mimicking the parabolic geometry of a bouncing ball and evoking the cherished hilly topography of Rwanda.

Rebuilding Rwanda: Designing a New Future

Eric Baldwin — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Rwanda is writing a new global story for itself. Over two decades after the end of the country’s civil war and the 1994 genocide, a series of progressive visions have been the catalyst for transformation throughout Rwanda. These economic and structural reforms have redefined the built environment, and in turn, are shaping contemporary architecture across the country.

Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design / Patrick Schweitzer & Associés

Pilar Caballero — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

David Adjaye Unveils Design for Cancer Centre in Rwanda

AD Editorial Team — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Adjaye Associates have unveiled their design for the Eugene Gasana Jr. Foundation Paediatric Cancer Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. Located on a four-hectare site, the centre will include a 100-bed hospital, lodging for outpatients and residential housing for hospital staff. The design is inspired by the region’s vernacular architecture, and by the local Imigongo art form, which often includes black, white and red geometric patterns.

Umubano Primary School / Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS)

Daniel Sánchez — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Background

Kimisagara Football for Hope Centre / AFO with Architecture for Humanity

Javier Gaete — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 20:00:35 +0000

Architects: Architectural Field Office with Architecture for Humanity Location: Kimisagara, Kigali, Rwanda Project Year: 2009 Project Area: 200.0 sqm Photographs: Killian Doherty

Video: Football for Hope

Kelly Minner — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:00:31 +0000

Architecture for Humanity’s Kimisagra Football for Hope Center in Kigali, Rwanda has broken ground. This video by Killian Doherty and music by Sophie Nzayisenga features the site location, renderings, and most importantly the communities excitement for the new center.