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KACHUMBALA – Capturing the jury’s atten-
tion were HKS’s longstanding relationship
with Uganda and its continuous involvement
with the community whose needs are served
by the Kachumbala Maternity Ward. Judges
admired the office’s straightforward ‘no
bullshit’ approach to the task at hand, and the
ensuing simple yet on-point design solutions.
Designer and curator Matylda Krzykowski
put it succinctly: ‘The project raised a ques-
tion and answered it in one building.’
‘I like the humility of it,’ said Hester
van Dijk of Overtreders W. ‘It’s about get-
ting to a place and really seeing what you
can do for the community.’ Krzykowski
agreed: ‘Some of these projects almost
become franchises that can then be released
all over the place. This one really speaks to
local, specific needs.’ During their presenta-
tion, the architects light-heartedly men-
tioned that ‘form followed funding’. Perhaps
more importantly, form also followed local
people and local necessity. The architects
engaged the community in the process

• midwives in particular, to thoroughly
  understand their needs – and relied on
  local labour and materials.
  ‘Design affects people’s wellbeing,’
  said Krzykowski. ‘When we are designing,
  we should attempt to respond to needs.’
  The jury hopes that honouring Kachumbala
  Maternity Ward will motivate more design-
  ers to follow in HKS’s footsteps. As summed
  up in the final jury report: ‘The project is
  convincing because it’s free of pretence. It
  stands out as an example of architecture and
  design built by empathy.’ – AM
  hksinc.com

PEOPLE'S VOTE

100 Faces of TaiKwun by Ado Culture

SOCIETAL

Social Award

KACHUMBALA MATERNITY

WARD BY HKS

The architects at HKS topped their

category by responding empathically

to real local needs in Kachumbala.

142 FRAME AWARDS 2019