Surgical Center Beni

Surgical Center Beni
Surgical Center Beni
Democratic Republic of the Congo
2023

UNICHIR is a surgical and medical training center located in Beni, in the northern Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Founded by Belgian humanitarian surgeon Dr. Reginald Moreels, the hospital serves as a beacon of hope in a region severely impacted by conflict and limited access to humanitarian aid. It provides specialized surgical services and training to millions of people in one of the most remote areas of the world.

The design of the project is centered around a series of interconnected pavilions set within a garden, creating a bright and green environment. This modular approach ensures flexibility and the ability to phase the project, which was crucial for its realization. A large communal garden offers shade and space for cooking, eating, and washing, while a strategically placed water tower supports the campus’s operations, saving valuable space.

An orchard of fruit trees contributes to the center’s food supply, and the presence of abundant greenery plays a vital role in water management, with 50 trees already planted and more to follow. A large wadi protects the site from flooding.

The maternity unit is designed as an independent, intimate space with its own entrance and organized around a private patio, ensuring comfort and privacy for young parents and their children, while maintaining necessary connections to the rest of the campus.

The distinctive roofing of the pavilions provides natural ventilation and cooling, reducing the need for air conditioning. The roofs, with their playful composition and the columns, nod to the local architectural style.

UNICHIR opened its doors in June 2023 to serve its first patients, and the construction of Phase 3, the training and education center, has recently begun.

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