Léo Surgical Clinic and Health Centre
Completed
2014
Léo, Burkina Faso
1,660 sqm
Operieren in Afrika e. V.
Structural engineering: EGC (Entreprise Générale de Construction), Ouagadougou BP
The Surgical Clinic and Health Centre in Léo was built to ease pressure on the existing district hospital and serve the local population's medical needs. The centre is equipped with surgical facilities, an in-patient ward and a maternity unit. In a later phase the project was complemented with the addition of the Léo Doctors’ Housing on an adjacent site.
The design aims to create an inclusive atmosphere and an alternative to the intimidating rigidity that often characterises the architecture of health institutions. The facility is made up of 10 modular units that are arranged loosely in relation to each other to create a variety of sheltered, interstitial spaces that feel both dynamic and welcoming. This modular system also reduces costs and speeds up the construction process.
The units are protected by large overlapping roofs that protect the raw clay walls during the rainy season as well as shade them from the hot daytime sun. The roofs are specially designed for efficient rainwater collection. In a region where it only rains during three months of the year, water collection and management is extremely important for the health and welfare of the local community, as well as the environment. A rainwater and greywater collection and filtration system was introduced in order to irrigate surrounding plants and trees. Oxygen is added to treat the greywater using solar energy collected from panels on site.
Kéré Architecture collaborated closely with a team of local workers, training them in innovative construction methods. The skills and expertise they acquired have become a valuable resource as they are transferred to future construction sites, promoting economic development and sustainable building practices in the region.
The Surgical Clinic and Health Centre in Léo was built to ease pressure on the existing district hospital and serve the local population's medical needs. The centre is equipped with surgical facilities, an in-patient ward and a maternity unit. In a later phase the project was complemented with the addition of the Léo Doctors’ Housing on an adjacent site.
The design aims to create an inclusive atmosphere and an alternative to the intimidating rigidity that often characterises the architecture of health institutions. The facility is made up of 10 modular units that are arranged loosely in relation to each other to create a variety of sheltered, interstitial spaces that feel both dynamic and welcoming. This modular system also reduces costs and speeds up the construction process.
The units are protected by large overlapping roofs that protect the raw clay walls during the rainy season as well as shade them from the hot daytime sun. The roofs are specially designed for efficient rainwater collection. In a region where it only rains during three months of the year, water collection and management is extremely important for the health and welfare of the local community, as well as the environment. A rainwater and greywater collection and filtration system was introduced in order to irrigate surrounding plants and trees. Oxygen is added to treat the greywater using solar energy collected from panels on site.
Kéré Architecture collaborated closely with a team of local workers, training them in innovative construction methods. The skills and expertise they acquired have become a valuable resource as they are transferred to future construction sites, promoting economic development and sustainable building practices in the region.
