with the aim of providing a world-class dental clinic in the kacyiru district of kigali, abraham fung, andrew le of SODO-SOPA and dan layden of fold studio have collaborated to design the HOPE dental center. also referred to as kigali roofscapes due to its three sweeping roof planes, the proposal intends to establish a safe community within a building that is integrated into nature and the surrounding rwandan landscape.
the green heart
all images and drawings courtesy of abraham fung, andrew le (SODO-SOPA) and dan layden (fold studio)
planned for a sloping site, the program of the center is divided into three separate buildings, which are all embedded into the contours of the land. the various functions, which include dental offices and laboratories, a residence for missionaries and a storage facility, are carefully dispersed across the scheme. despite being logically split, these three volumes are connected by large pathways, outdoor seating decks and areas of landscaping.
entry forecourt
the external architectural expression is defined by the three roof planes, which mirror the slope of the land and are designed to pay homage to the rwandan topography and ‘land of a thousand hills’. peeling the surface of these three roofscapes reveals embedded bodies of space, each housing a unique function and vantage point. in addition to forming a building that is sympathetic to its surroundings, kigali roofscapes also aims to create a destination to service, gather and learn, while being a welcoming and accessible place for residents and visitors. HOPE dental center will become the foundation of HHOA’s vision for a sustainable dental care system in rwanda. the clinic will be equipped with the latest dental equipment and technology and managed with the greatest efficiency to provide an unmatched patient experience.
patio
auditorium
chapel
external view of kigali roofscapes
the core values of the project
site plan
roof plan
ground level floor plan
site section
building program
journey experience through the building






project info:
project name: HOPE dental center / kigali roofscapes
project status: proposal
location: kigali, rwanda
design team: abraham fung, andrew le (SODO-SOPA) and dan layden (fold studio)
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynne myers | designboom