University of Global Health Equity Campus

Challenge

Provision of high-quality healthcare and medical education in resource-constrained environments faces barriers: limited infrastructure, unpredictable power and utilities, high cost of imported materials, and need for sustainable operation. Design and construction methods common in high-income countries often are unsuited to Rwanda’s climate, resource availability, maintenance capacity, and operating budget realities.

Solution

In 2013, Mazzetti joined Partners In Health and Shepley Bulfinch to develop a master plan for a 400,000 sf campus combining university and hospital expansion. Mazzetti defined the infrastructure and building system requirements and developed a sustainability and resource-conservation strategy tailored to local conditions. 
For Phase 1 (academic facilities, student and faculty housing), delivered 2016–2018, Mazzetti provided MEPT and sustainability consulting to support efficient use of energy, water, and materials.

Outcome

The resulting campus supports education of future health care leaders with a model rooted in equity and sustainability. The design minimizes resource demands and ongoing operating costs. The project’s success demonstrates how context-appropriate design and engineering can support global health equity. The campus remains active and serves as a global model for combining healthcare education with sustainable building practices.