The Umubano Primary School

In 2007, UK-based charity A Partner In Education committed to building a new school campus in the Kigali neighborhood of Kabeza for three hundred vulnerable or orphaned children and to replace the dilapidated existing facilities. MASS was brought on board to select the site, design the educational facility, and assist in building the organizational structure to support the educational programs for the Kabeza neighborhood.

The design includes seven buildings with nine classrooms and a library. The site plan and circulation take inspiration from the hilly landscape of the neighborhood and region, where switchbacks traverse the hillsides. Each room utilizes natural ventilation with screen walls and operable glazing, while a glazed Vierendeel truss in the roof structure provides sufficient diffuse daylighting.

Local materials such as brick and papyrus reeds were used and local craftspeople were engaged throughout.