Umubano Primary School

Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan

UMUBANO PRIMARY SCHOOL

MASS Design Group

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Sierra Bainbridge

CONSULTANTS
Ujenge Construction and Engineering, K. Dohrety

DESIGN TEAM
Michael Murphy, Alan Ricks, Sierra Bainbridge, Ebberly Strathairn, Branden Collins,
Andrew Brose, Marika Shioiri-Clark, Ryan Leidner, Eric Mutabazi

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
MASS Design Group

PHOTOGRAPHS
Iwan Baan

AREA
900 m²

YEAR
2010

LOCATION
Kigali, Rwanda

CATEGORY
Schools

Text description provided by architect.

In 2007, UK charity A Partner In Education (APIE), as part of its mission to boost education in Africa, committed to building a new school campus in the Kigali neighborhood of Kabeza to replace dilapidated existing facilities.

Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan
Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan

MASS was brought onboard to select the new site, design the new educational facility, as well as assist in building the organizational structure to support the educational programs for the Kabeza neighborhood. The school opened in July of 2011 with H.E. President Paul Kagame inaugurating the project.

CONTEXTUAL DESIGN

The design of the building layout and circulation takes direct inspiration from the neighborhood and the region; due to the hilly landscape, people travel across switchbacks on terraced agricultural land — and the school’s traversing walkways and outdoor classrooms mirror this context.

Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan
Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan

MASS created unique settings for learning with a mix of interior rooms, exterior teaching areas, and terraced play spaces for children.

Local materials such as brick and papyrus reeds were used in the construction to cut down on transportation costs, limit the use of imported and often contextually inappropriate materials, and to spur the region’s economy by encouraging local markets. MASS collaborated with local craftsmen to incorporate local expertise in the process.

Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan
Umubano Primary School
© Iwan Baan

The design employs natural ventilation strategies, and the verendeel trusses in the roof structure create clerestory lighting in order to reduce energy consumption.

AMENITIES

7 buildings with 9 classrooms, library, computer lab, kitchen, and administrative space, Mixed interior rooms and exterior teaching areas, Terraced play spaces

Umubano Primary School
Site Plan


Umubano Primary School
Section