Centre for Health and Social Welfare

The Centre for Health and Social Welfare was conceived as part of the Opera Village, to meet the medical needs of the population in and around Laongo. It is divided into three interlocking units: dentistry, gynaecology and obstetrics, and general medicine. These are arranged around a series of shaded courtyards that function as waiting areas. The courtyards are carefully designed to create a calm and intimate atmosphere for patients’ visitors and families to retire to.  

The dynamic fenestration layout is based on three distinct vantage points: standing, sitting and lying – a doctor striding across the ward, a visitor patiently sitting, a bedridden patient gazing into the distance. Each window seems to hang on the wall like a picture frame, capturing a different aspect of the landscape. This allows for a strong connection to the surroundings while minimising direct solar radiation. From the outside, the openings create a dynamic motif on the ochre render of the walls, lending the façades their distinctive character.

In keeping with the Opera Village, the centre is built out of locally produced clay bricks and integrates other materials readily available on site, such as laterite stones to pave the courtyards and eucalyptus wood to clad the roof overhangs. The building is planned for effective natural ventilation; cool air enters through low level openings in the outer walls, flows through the spaces and exits via the courtyards.