The Bureau of Patrick Schweitzer from Strasbourg won in 2012 the competition for the design of the building of the Faculty of Architecture in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali; construction went on for almost the entire 2017. The building appeared on the campus of the College of Science and Technology of the University of Rwanda: with an area of 5,600 m2 and a budget of 7 million euros, it is designed for 600 students.
The project combines local ingredients and modern architecture. Along with concrete, Rwandan volcanic rock and wood were used, during the construction - traditional removable formwork, the building also has earth parts. The image of the building from a series of truncated pyramids, separated by "faults", is inspired by the landscape of Rwanda, their orange color is a reference to the element of fire (three others are also not forgotten).
On the ground floor there are administrative offices, laboratories, workshops, seminars and auditoriums. Thirteen "pyramids" house architectural studios and other classrooms; the two halves of the building are connected by a series of pedestrian bridges.
The building was erected using simple technologies and local materials, which reduced its ecological footprint and allowed the use of Rwandan builders to support the country's economy. As a result, it also serves as a teaching aid for future architects - as an example of a resource-efficient and at the same time attractive building, easy to operate (the authors of the project thought specifically about the simplicity of the subsequent "leaving").
There is no elevator in the building; it is replaced by a wide, gentle ramp to the second floor. Natural ventilation and lighting save electricity, thick walls with good external insulation also protect the premises from overheating. A rainwater collection and storage system is provided.
