Children’s Surgical Hospital / Renzo Piano Building Workshop + Studio TAMassociati

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Studio TAMassociati
Area: 9695 m²
Year: 2020
Photography: Emmanuel Museruka – Malaika Media
Lead Architects: G. Grandi
Design Team: RPBW – G. Grandi, P. Carrera, A. Peschiera, D. Piano, Z. Sawaya, D. Ardant; F. Cappellini, I. Corsaro, D. Lange, F. Terranova; TAMassociati – R. Pantaleo, M. Lepore, S. Sfriso, V. Milan, L. Candelpergher, E. Vianello, M. Gerardi; EMERGENCY Field Operations Department, Building Division – Roberto Crestan, Carlo Maisano
Contractor: EMERGENCY Field Operations Department, Building Division
Structural Engineering: Milan Ingegneria Srl
Civil Engineering: Prisma Engineering
Landscape: Franco and Simona Giorgetta
Fire Consultants: GAE Engineering, J&A Consultants
Materials: Rammed earth, photovoltaic panels, concrete, glass
Client: EMERGENCY NGO
Location: Entebbe
Country: Uganda

The Children’s Surgical Hospital in Entebbe represents a synthesis of healthcare infrastructure and environmental sensitivity, conceived as both a functional medical facility and a cultural landmark. Designed to address the pressing need for pediatric surgical care in Uganda, the project integrates local materials and construction techniques with contemporary architectural strategies. The building’s terraced configuration follows the natural slope toward Lake Victoria, creating a spatial continuity between interior and exterior environments. Central to the design is the use of rammed earth walls, which utilize locally sourced materials and labor, reinforcing both sustainability and community engagement. Above, a large photovoltaic canopy generates energy while providing shade, enabling the hospital to operate with a degree of energy independence. The project embodies a balance between technological innovation and regional identity, positioning architecture as a catalyst for social and environmental progress.

The building is conceived as a social catalyst. Constructed using pisé for the load-bearing walls – a technique rooted in local materials and traditional knowledge – it was built by the local community and is now operated by local personnel. The project, therefore, extends beyond architecture, contributing to the strengthening of local skills, ownership, and social cohesion.
Interview with Albert Giralt of Renzo Piano Building Workshop [RPBW]

Children’s surgical hospital / renzo piano building workshop + studio tamassociati

Set within a gently sloping landscape descending toward the lake, the hospital is conceived as an extension of its terrain rather than an imposition upon it. The architecture negotiates between topography and program, organizing its volumes along terraces that dissolve conventional boundaries between built form and open space. Circulation paths, courtyards, and gardens are interwoven with clinical areas, establishing a therapeutic environment that emphasizes openness, light, and connection to nature.

The project reflects a deliberate engagement with local construction traditions, most notably through the extensive use of rammed earth. By reinterpreting a technique often associated with vernacular or informal construction, the design elevates its material presence into a refined architectural language. The thick earthen walls provide thermal mass, contributing to passive climate control while grounding the building in its geographic and cultural context. This approach reduces reliance on imported materials and specialized labor, aligning construction practices with local capacities.

Above the earthen base, a lightweight canopy structure introduces a contrasting technological layer. Suspended over the building, the roof supports a vast array of photovoltaic panels that supply daytime energy needs. This elevated plane not only generates power but also moderates solar gain, casting shade across roofs and walkways and enhancing user comfort in the equatorial climate. The separation between canopy and building allows air circulation, reinforcing passive cooling strategies.

The hospital’s spatial organization prioritizes clarity and accessibility, essential qualities in a medical facility serving a broad population. Yet beyond efficiency, the design aspires to create a dignified environment for patients and staff. The interplay of materials, light, and landscape contributes to a sense of calm and permanence, countering the often utilitarian character of healthcare buildings in resource-limited contexts.

As the first project by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Africa, the hospital carries symbolic weight, signaling a commitment to architectural quality in regions where such investment is often limited. It stands as an example of how design excellence can align with humanitarian objectives, demonstrating that infrastructure for care can also be a vehicle for cultural expression and environmental responsibility.