In conjunction with Engineers for Overseas Development, HKS Architects update the maternity unit in Kachumbala, Uganda to be more self-efficient and functional. For the structure, the firm uses locally sourced materials and embraces new tech advancements in the sphere of sustainability. The new facility can "accommodate up to six births a day" and is largely self-sustaining.
Kachumbala has a hot and dry climate. Hence, figuring out a way to build a maternity unit that will suit this environment was a top priority for HKS Architects. The hospital is, thus, "entirely passive and self-sufficient, able to generate its own power [with solar panels], collect its own water [from the roof], and keep rooms comfortably cool without air conditioning." In building the maternity unit, the architects were mindful of the local limitations.
Self-Sustaining Maternity Units
HKS Architects Increases the Capacity of Uganda's Maternity Ward
Trend Themes
1. Passive Architecture - Incorporate locally sourced materials and new tech advancements to create sustainable and self-sufficient structures, reducing environmental impact and increasing energy efficiency.
2. Renewable Energy - Implement renewable energy sources like solar panels to generate electricity and reduce reliance on non-renewable sources.
3. Water Collection - Collect water from roofs or other sources to increase water self-sufficiency, decrease reliance on municipal water, and support conservation efforts.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architectural firms can explore sustainable design and construction techniques that utilize locally sourced materials and incorporate renewable energy sources, decreasing environmental impact, and increasing energy efficiency.
2. Renewable Energy - Renewable energy industries can develop new technologies and integrate them with structures to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
3. Healthcare - Hospitals and clinics can explore sustainable building options and incorporate renewable energy sources to create self-sufficient healthcare facilities, improving access to essential medical services while reducing environmental impact.