Creating hospitals that promote dignity, resilience, and holistic healing
Did you know that thoughtful design can significantly reduce hospital-acquired infections? Anibal Marie di Francia Niyitanga and Megan Suau of MASS Design Group reveal how their innovative architectural approaches in Rwanda, Bangladesh, and Uganda are transforming healthcare environments. Niyitanga shares his personal journey from a childhood accident in a cramped clinic to becoming part of the first generation of licensed architects in Rwanda, emphasizing the vital role of space in the healing process. Suau highlights projects like the Butaro District Hospital, which uses outdoor walkways to improve ventilation and reduce infections, and the Samajik Hospital in Bangladesh, designed with courtyards and natural ventilation to enhance patient recovery. Their work demonstrates that architecture can heal. By engaging communities and adapting designs to specific needs, they are creating healthcare spaces that promote dignity, resilience, and holistic healing.
About the speakers
Anibal Marie di Francia Niyitanga is Senior Architect at MASS Design Group. He has been instrumental in the design and execution of several impactful projects, primarily focused on healthcare. His experience spans the globe, working in diverse contexts and collaborating with partners to develop innovative solutions to specific problems identified in each project. Before his tenure at MASS, Anibal worked with General Architecture Collaborative, focusing on empowering local communities through innovative building techniques such as earthbag construction.
Megan Suau is Design Director of the MASS Design Group and a registered Architect. She has led several large-scale international healthcare projects from MASS Design Group's Africa studio. She has a passion for service and stewardship, guiding partners and communities through the design and construction process with accessibility and transparency. Her major contributions include the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Kinigi, Rwanda), Sojourner Truth State Park, (Kingston, New York), New Luanda Military Hospital (Luanda, Angola), among many projects.