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Komera Leadership Center, located in the rural eastern province of Rwanda, provides health, education, and mentorship programs for young women, and is a place for family development initiatives and community gatherings. Sitting strategically on the main road across from the village football pitch, the Leadership Center serves as a community and education hub for residents.
The heart of the building features a flexible space that functions as a gathering hall or a series of classrooms to accommodate the wide variety of activities and programs the community requested for the Leadership Center. Large hanging translucent panels transform the space into three classrooms when closed and a large meeting hall for the community when the panels are opened 90 degrees. The space may accommodate larger events such as performances or ceremonies when the panels are fully opened to 270 degrees.
The roof forms, woven eucalyptus screens, and brick patterns, are inspired by the traditional “Imigongo” art originating from this region and carry an association with the Rwandan word “Komera” meaning “to stand strong, to have courage.” The large roof connects the administration, health and counseling, classroom and gathering, kitchen and dining spaces to create an abundance of covered exterior spaces for break-out classes and informal meetings. The large eucalyptus screens provide shade and a sense of enclosure and privacy for these exterior spaces.
The vast majority of the Leadership Center was constructed with locally sourced materials. We employed a local workforce and maintained an average of 40% female representation and provided on-site skilled labor training, living wages, PPE and safety equipment, and marketable construction skills. We worked closely with the community and their contributions were vital from conception to completion of their center. The project was under construction for approximately 12 months.
Client: Komera
Location: Rwinkwavu, Rwanda
Completion: August 2022
Project Size: 569 m2; Covered area – 1,235 m2
Category: Community Facility
Project Cost: $660,000
Architect: BE Design
Awards: 2023 Architizer A+ Popular Winner Institutional Community Centers;
2023 Architizer A+ Popular Winner Concepts Architecture and Low Cost Design
2023 Architizer A+ Jury Winner Concepts Architecture and Low Cost Design
2023 Architizer A+ Jury Winner Concepts Architecture and Community
2023 Architizer A+ Jury Winner Concepts Architecture and For Good
2023 Architizer A+ Finalist Concepts Architecture and Learning