Areas of focus
Resource efficiency Managing the lack of resources that are needed for a well-functioning hospital – among them an unstable electricity supply, deficient water system, and limited availability of materials. CHALLENGE:
Designing a self-sufficient hospital using natural resources and local materials. OU R APPROACH:
Brick with outtakes
Window frames of painted steel
Brick with dark/light mortar
Painted brick
Structural wood
Local and sustainable materials All proposed materials and construction methods have a long tradition in DR Congo with the intention to facilitate the construction process and minimise the risk for construction mistakes. Local materials are prioritised in the design in order to facilitate future maintenance and possible replacements. The main material used is clay bricks, a durable material produced nearby. Locally sourced timber, a renewable resource that can be successfully treated to withstand the
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Polished concrete
Wooden shutters
Light steel roofing
Coconut sheets
climate, is used whenever possible. It appears both in structural elements, in the form of sunshading and interior finishes. The amount of concrete and steel used is kept to a mininum, since it will have to be imported. These materials are replaced whenever possible with local material, such as brick or timber. The amount of ceramic tiles was minimised, being used just in wet areas such as bathrooms, since this material is imported and the experience from the existing facilities is that tiles are easily worn out.
