Kim Jensen

Vicinity Plan

Oshendya Mongula is a rural AIDS medical center in the northern region of Namibia, Africa. Namibia is one of the five countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, with over 15% of its population infected. 64% of Namibia’s population resides in rural areas. These rural areas are the most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic because they are too far away from, and lack the transportation to, the medical attention they need, and they are too poor to afford it anyway. The rural AIDS medical center is sited in a region with a prevalence rate of 25-30%. It is equidistant from two main cities, Otavi and Outjo, and the two closest medical centers therein, each of which is 50 miles from the site.

The site is that of a ranch surrounded by densely populated low-lying trees and tall shrubbery. Ranches in Namibia are not open fields. Building here would require the removal of shrubs and trees, which are invasive species hindering the natural environment. The removed plant material will be reused in the structure of the building.

Site Plan

Program Breakdown:
Blue - Patients
Brown - Visitors
Yellow - Nurses
Green - Staff

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Roof Plan

The first floor contains exam rooms, a nurse’s station, offices, a mobile unit, education center, and all of the necessities of operating a medical center. As you approach, the education center and outdoor classrooms are seen from the street, as well as people enjoying the gardens on the first and second rooftops. The entrance is semi private, having it’s own courtyard and surrounded by a large outdoor waiting area that makes use of the mild climate. A mobile unit has direct service access from the street, allowing a quick getaway when needed.

The second floor houses all of the long term in-patient components including isolation rooms, patient rooms, a large nurse’s station, doctor’s offices, and therapy rooms. The central core here is the nurse’s station, swooping around from one patient wing, along the therapy rooms and patient lounge, to another patient wing. From this floor, the courtyards and rooftop gardens are accessible from a ramping system at the end of each arm.

The patient experience is progressive, starting in the exam room with an evaluation. If it is determined that a long-term stay at the medical center is necessary, the second floor has all accommodations necessary. 3 isolation rooms are located toward the front of the building with access to the 1st floor roof top garden for family and guests. The northwest wing of patient rooms is reserved for patients who may be unwell enough to walk around. The northeast wing of patient rooms is attached to a patient lounge for those who have the ability to be mobile and enjoy each other’s company. From here, patient well enough will be allowed to go home.

Section A

Section B

The SwissCell

The structure is primarily a new material developed in Germany called the SwissCell. It is used in combination with a 22’ steel column grid. The SwissCell is a highly compressed form of glucose, pressed and molded into a sturdy honeycomb pattern. It is extremely strong, supporting 18 tons per square foot, is durable enough to last three generations without major repairs, extremely lightweight, and can be made on-site from natural resources, such as the trees and shrubbery that will need to be cleared from the site. It can be cut into any form and be processed on-site using standard wood working tools. It can replace any concrete, with the exception of the foundation, and any wall framing that is needed. Due to the number of materials that the SwissCell can replace and the ability to fabricate it on-site, it is easily affordabale.

The SwissCell is currently being used to build 1,000 permanent relief houses in Haiti after the destruction of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake leaving 2 million people displaced. It can be used to build a multitude of structures including aircrafts, ships, and vehicles, as well as buildings.

3D Structural Section

Detail Connection of Column, Second Floor, and Wall

The structure consists of a concrete slab on grade with grade beams where necessary. Imbed plates and anchor bolts tie down 6” square steel tube columns in a 22’ grid wherever a SwissCell wall does not exist. Where it does exist, 2 light gauge L channels with a plate welded between cup the SwissCell. Where connecting with a floor or ceiling of SwissCell, these cells are filled with epoxy cement and fitted with anchor bolts. The anchor bolts secure the L channels to the structure. The concrete floor is sealed, and the SwissCell is backed by drywall and stucco to create a sterile environment. Operable sliding glass doors with aluminum mullions allow the staff to easily access the patients as well as open the facility to enhance airflow when needed. On the exterior, thin concrete panels reinforced with fiberglass are sealed to form a walkable and waterproof surface. Imbedded planters are lined with waterproof material and filled with soil for the roof top gardens.