Beni Surgical Centre

UNICHIR is a surgical and medical (training) centre located in the city of Beni, in Congo's northern Kivu province. The hospital was founded by Belgian humanitarian surgeon Dr Reginald Moreels. The realisation of this project is a significant achievement and a symbol of hope in one of the most inaccessible regions of the world. The area, heavily affected by war and violence, has limited access to humanitarian aid. UNICHIR is a place where, despite this situation, specialised surgical services and training are offered to millions of people.

Masanga Hospital Master Plan

ASF Belgium is working with Masanga Hospital in Sierra Leone to expand and further develop a large medical centre. Masanga Hospital is located in central Sierra Leone, surrounded by rainforest and rural farmland. The campus consists of a hospital, a medical college and a compound for staff and students. Due to the continued growing demand for good medical care, the campus is under great pressure to further expand its capacity.
The ASF design team has drawn up a strategy for the long-term development of the campus. The plan provides room for growth to accommodate more patients and students, while also paying attention to preserving open space, protecting the vulnerable forest and addressing the risk of flooding in the area.

Masanga Hospital Auditorium

The first building to be realized within the spatial framework of the master plan is an auditorium for the hospital's training institute. The design comprises three small classrooms and a cafeteria arranged around a central courtyard. Together, these buildings form a multifunctional event space. The cafeteria serves as the stage, while the stairs and classrooms can be transformed into seating for up to 500 people.

This dual use of space reflects the team's design approach: making the most efficient use of the available space. As a result, the campus's valuable landscape is preserved to the greatest extent possible.

Kabare Maternity

ASF-Be provided advice on the expansion of the Kabare maternity unit.

The Kabare hospital dates from the 1950s, and the current buildings no longer meet the standards required of a contemporary maternity unit. Due to the large number of deliveries, the hospital is also struggling with a lack of space.

A local team made plans for a new wing. ASF provided advice to optimise the proposal within a tight budget. The ASF team fine-tuned the integration into the site and the functional relationships with the existing building, optimised the floor plan and proposed adjustments to improve daylight. Afterwards, the local team continued with the development and follow-up of the project. The new hospital wing opened at the end of 2023.

Burundi Education and Healthcare Projects

ASF was approached by the Burundian NGO APSD (Association pour la Promotion de la Santé et du Développement). ASF and APSD are working together on various projects related to education and healthcare in Burundi.

APSD wants to expand the Muhanga paramedical school at two existing locations. A feasibility study has been made to determine whether the intended expansion is possible at those locations. If it is decided to continue the project, more detailed studies and designs will be required. The drawings and images in this study are shown for illustrative purposes only.

Vocational School, Olasi

The Visitation Daughters of Mary plan to establish a vocational school in the village of Olasi in Kenya, about 50 kilometres from the city of Kisumu. The school will offer practice-oriented training in fields such as construction, electrical engineering, ICT, hospitality and tailoring to around 200 students. The programmes are designed to give adults of 18 and over practical skills quickly, improving their chances in the labour market.
In this phase of the project we are working with the sisters to define the brief further and to study the site.

IST Madagascar

ASF, together with Belgian and local partners in Madagascar, established a Department of Architecture at the Institut Supérieur Technique (IST) in Antananarivo. The programme is the country's first architecture degree and has received formal accreditation from the government.
The creation of an architecture school marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and higher-quality built environment in Madagascar.