{"id":1078,"date":"2025-04-30T09:41:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/arch\/news\/2025\/04\/texas-am-architecture-students-advance-global-health-through-rwanda-maternity-center-project\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T12:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T17:19:12","slug":"texas-am-architecture-students-advance-global-health-through-rwanda-maternity-center-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/arch\/news\/2025\/04\/texas-am-architecture-students-advance-global-health-through-rwanda-maternity-center-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas A&M Architecture Students Advance Global Health Through Rwanda Maternity Center Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Students from the Texas A&M University College of Architecture presented their final designs for a Women\u2019s and Infants\u2019 Health and Maternity Center in Rwanda\u2019s Bugesera District near Kigali on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Langford Architecture Center. More than 50 participants, including reviewers, family members, community leaders, faculty, and A+IAC members, joined the meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event marked the culmination of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research and design effort, bringing together students, faculty, clients, and practitioners to address critical maternal and infant healthcare needs in one of Africa\u2019s fastest-growing regions. According to the World Health Organization, Rwanda\u2019s maternal mortality ratio was 259 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020\u2014more than ten times higher than that of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project was co-hosted by the Rwanda Children Educational Foundation (RCEF), represented by Chairperson Dr. Alan W. Graustein and Executive Director Jeanine Mukarubega, alongside faculty from the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Global Challenge, A Local Solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the spring semester, students in the Architecture for Health program worked closely with clients and community leaders in Rwanda, meeting weekly via Zoom to gather insights on local conditions, healthcare gaps, and cultural needs. The maternity center project tackled urgent issues such as limited access to transportation, shortages of healthcare services, and the need for sustainable, community-centered facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zhipeng<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are not merely designing buildings; we are reimagining the future of health through architecture,\u201d said Dr. Zhipeng Lu, studio instructor, who guided students in considering factors like climate, sustainability, construction materials, maternal education, and healthcare access in the Rwandan context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students proposed a range of innovative design solutions, including a maternal village concept that allows expectant mothers to stay safely on-site prior to delivery\u2014a direct response to transportation barriers identified through their research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Legacy of Impact Through Architecture for Health<\/strong>
<\/strong>Since its founding, Texas A&M\u2019s Architecture for Health program has cultivated leaders in healthcare design through real-world research, interdisciplinary education, and global engagement. Emeritus Professor George J. Mann, who launched the program more than 60 years ago, highlighted the significance of the Rwanda project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"George<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe students proposed innovative ideas that directly address the social and healthcare challenges of the region,\u201d Mann said. \u201cIt\u2019s an extraordinary example of academic work making a real-world impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, FACHA, FHFI, Chairman Emeritus of HKS Architects, also praised the program\u2019s reputation for producing graduates who lead globally in healthcare planning and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“The students and faculty have been working with people directly in Rwanda, and have been communicating weekly via zoom to gain a knowledge of local conditions in Rwanda, and to review their design concepts with the users” said Alan Graustein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Voices: Design with Empathy and Purpose<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students described the project as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their academic careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project opened my eyes to architecture beyond the United States,\u201d said Taylor Pillar, a participating student. \u201cThrough careful programming and sustainable design strategies like natural lighting and ventilation, we aimed to create a place where mothers feel confident they will receive quality care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Students
Students who supported the final designs for a Women\u2019s and Infants\u2019 Health and Maternity Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calista Quinn, another student involved, reflected on the personal significance of the work. \u201cDesigning for a less developed country required us to rethink many assumptions,\u201d Quinn said. \u201cAs a young woman, it was personal\u2014I wanted to provide a sanctuary for future mothers experiencing one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quinn also credited the leadership of Dr. Lu and the collaboration with RCEF leaders like Dr. Alan W. Graustein and Jeanine Mukarubega. \u201cThe feedback and real-world connection made this one of the most meaningful projects I have worked on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browse through some of the student work that was produced to support this initiative. Use the arrows to scroll through the slideshow of student work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n