Bruce Engel, who founded BE_Design in 2016, was commissioned to raise this shelter for health, education, and mentorship programs catering to women, which doubles as a place for the rural community to gather in.

At the heart of the building is a space that through large hinging screens flexibly transforms, as needed, to accommodate large events, a lounge, or three classrooms.

The inclinations of the ceilings of woven eucaliptus screens and the decorative brick patterns take inspiration from Imigongo, a traditional vernacular art form linked to the Rwandan word Komera, which means ‘to stand strong, and to have courage.’

Photos courtesy of BE_design