we are not from kalamazoo: children's hospital africa

design for the children - hospital africa by we are not from kalamazoo
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo

here is we are not from kalamazoo's proposal for the design for the children
competition in east africa.

the hospital has been defined in zones; a children and family quarter, a surgery wing,
and an exam and education quarter. the strips of program are then tied together around
courtyards, which are the social knots of the project. the series of courtyard gardens,
each with individual characters, are connected by covered walkways and relate to
the program of the surrounding rooms.

in the first phase there are three courtyards defined by the central ‘serviced’ spine, two
branches of rooms and the rectangular perimeter wall.


design for the children - hospital
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo

the materials of the project are the most commonly used around east africa ; pallet
of sun dried earth bricks, corrugated steel mono pitch roofs and wooden frame windows
have been selected due to easy construction using local knowledge, low cost
and easy availability, easy maintenance, and environmental suitability.

the services (water and electricity) are located in a central spine upon which serviced
rooms are placed, hence limiting the need for excess plumbing and wiring, and connecting
them directly under the source of supply of water and electricity, the v shaped-roof.


design for the children - hospital courtyard with raintanks
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo

rain water is collected by means of two mono-pitch roofs forming a ‘v’ shaped valley
which channels rain water into water-butts that can supply water during the dry seasons.

photo voltaic cells are located on the roofs and supply power through a power hub
and the central spine of the building to the rooms that need it.

natural ventilation is achieved in three ways. first by offsetting the roofs from the top
of the walls, hence allowing a free circulation of air throughout the building.
second, by using narrow plan depths of 3.5 meters, ensuring efficient cross ventilation.


design for the children - hospital
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo

solar shading for the rooms is provided by the courtyard typology, overhanging
eaves and narrow windows. in the family courtyard, the trees also offer a wide natural
solar shading

thermal lag, which keeps interiors cool in the sun and warmer at night, is ensured
by the high thermal mass of the brick.

sheltered spaces for the rainy season are created along the courtyards, under the generous
overhanging eaves.


design for the children - hospital
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo


design for the children - hospital courtyard
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo


design for the children education room
image courtesy we are not from kalamazoo