Servicing the education sector in East Africa has been an important part of FBW Group’s work throughout its 25-year history – from remote rural schools to modern university campuses.
In 2011 it started work a new library for the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. The development was to become FBW Group’s first completed building in Rwanda, following the opening of its office there in 2010.
Work on the $3m project began on the city centre site in January 2013. The FBW designed building accommodates a large foyer for informal interactions and a cafeteria on its lower level and restricted library areas and associated reading areas, IT training and office functions above.
In 2010, FBW Group began work on the Hamu Mukasa Library on the Uganda Christian University campus.
The $3.4m project created a modern building that accommodates about 2000 students and faculty each day with an additional study space in an open courtyard inside the complex.
It was designed to be functional and yet adaptable to the climatic conditions of Uganda; with ambient natural lighting and ventilation attributed to the atrium, wide openings and courtyard. FBW provided architecture and engineering services.
It is part of the impressive record FBW has built in the growing education sector in Uganda. Projects include designing and supervising the construction of the Salama Shield Foundation’s education centre in Lyantonde in the west of the country.
It was also appointed to masterplan, design and oversee the rehabilitation of the Kaliro Teacher Training College. Work on the $3m first phase began in 2013.
Working on the project for Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and the Belgian Development Agency, FBW’s masterplan features administration buildings, teaching spaces, courtyards, covered outdoor ‘rooms’, dormitories and staff housing.
FBW also designed the site water storage and water supply distribution network for Kaliro. The primary water source is from the local water main and secondary supply is provided by boreholes. It was also appointed to project manage and supervise the work.
Earlier Ugandan projects included the Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) -a $21m development. FBW Group worked to deliver a primary and secondary school on the 15-acre site that includes state-of-the-art IT rooms, science laboratories, a large library, Olympic-size swimming pool, gym and a multifunctional hall.
In Tanzania, FBW’s team of architects worked on the design and development of the prestigious Aga Khan Academy & University in Dar es Salaam.
Work began in 2016 with the plan to deliver 54 individual buildings within a 42-acre landscaped campus.
The educational facility was developed under the esteemed international Aga Khan Academies programme.
Current education sector projects FBW Group is working on include the expansion of the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Butaro, Rwanda.
The first phase of the 250-acre campus was opened by the Partners in Health organisation in 2019.
Located 80 miles north of Kigali, and embedded in a rural primary health care system, the design and location offer students diverse educational opportunities in clinical and delivery settings.
The medical and public health school aims to cater for 370 students by 2025 and is planning to introduce several new programmes, including nursing and midwifery.
To meet that expansion, the masterplan will look to deliver new classrooms, offices, labs, student services and clinical facilities. Recreational facilities, including sports grounds, and spaces for convention and events are part of the overall mix.
FBW managing director Paul Moores said: “The university is now looking at the next stage of its growth as it looks to meet the increasing demand for the exceptional educational opportunities it offers.
“Throughout FBW’s history we have worked on important educational projects like this, which are investing in people’s futures, delivering learning that is helping to transform communities and create opportunities.”
Milestones for FBW during this period of time include the opening and establishment of the Kigali office, a project which was led by Antje Eckoldt and Rob Woffenden.
In 2014 they became directors of the business, along with Nigel Tilling and Joseph Debuni.