Leo Clinic – Francis Kéré
The Surgical Clinic and Health Center now serves a population of over 50,000 people from the town of Léo and its surrounding communities. The Center is equipped with surgical facilities, an in-patient ward, and a maternity unit. In planning for the most sustainable building solution with the least ecological impact, the main construction material of the Center is compressed earth bricks. Their high thermal mass allows them to absorb the cool night air and release it during the day, helping keep the interior spaces cool. The clinic also features ten large overlapping roofs that protect the clay walls during the rainy season as well as shade the interiors and surrounding spaces of the Center from the hot daytime sun.
In order to maintain costs and simplify the construction process, a modular building system with the same dimensional and material specifications was used. The playfully positioned and vibrantly-colored buildings are sited around a central outdoor corridor, allowing for a variety of shaded interstitial spaces that feel both dynamic and welcoming. These friendly characteristics are important for the success of the Center, as they attract patients who would normally not seek medical attention or guidance.
