Adjaye Associates, in collaboration with the Wish4Life Foundation, has proposed the design for the International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) in Kyebi, Ghana. Located near the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, the centre is intended to offer a long-term response to pediatric cancer in the region by combining clinical treatment, research, training, and community engagement in a single facility.
The proposed site spans 225,000 square meters and sits on a forested slope. The design does not follow the conventional form of a hospital. Instead, the layout resembles a series of interconnected courtyards and low-rise buildings, organised to support multiple functions and provide a sense of continuity between healthcare, learning, and living spaces.
Functional Zones and Their Purpose
The ICCRC is structured around a series of programmatic zones, each addressing a specific need within the treatment and research ecosystem:
- Hospital block: Focused on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers.
- Research facilities: Built to advance regional knowledge of pediatric oncology and to collaborate with international institutions.
- Residential spaces: Provide accommodation for patients and their families to stay near the treatment site.
- Training institute: Designed to support capacity-building for doctors, nurses, and support staff.
- Chapel and reflection zones: Included for spiritual needs and moments of pause.
These areas are arranged to facilitate collaboration among medical professionals, researchers, families, and community members. The layout encourages interaction without compromising the privacy required in clinical settings.
A Layout Based on Indigenous Patterns
The design draws on traditional Akan architectural logic, particularly the concept of the Fihankra — a courtyard structure associated with protection and communal life. The campus consists of multiple circular and semi-enclosed forms that open into shaded walkways and planted courtyards.
Key spatial concepts include:
- Buildings grouped around open courtyards, allowing for cross-ventilation and gathering.
- Paths connecting all parts of the campus to reduce the feeling of isolation.
- A mix of private and shared zones to accommodate different user needs, from patients to staff.
This design approach avoids long institutional corridors and isolated wards. Instead, it focuses on smaller, navigable zones that promote social interaction, access to light, and proximity to nature.
Building Materials and Construction Approach
Adjaye Associates proposes a construction strategy based on available local resources and climate-responsive methods. Instead of relying on high-carbon imported materials, the plan uses traditional building systems and materials that are readily available and familiar to local craftsmen.
- Rammed earth: Used for most walls due to its thermal mass properties and availability. This method also connects the project to traditional West African construction.
- Timber and brick: Sourced locally and used for support structures and internal partitions.
- Patterned concrete panels: Inspired by the visual logic of Kente cloth. These are mainly applied to clinical spaces and areas requiring privacy.
The materials support the centre’s low-energy targets by reducing the need for mechanical heating or cooling. The use of passive design features is a key aspect of the overall energy strategy.
Passive Design and Operational Efficiency
The ICCRC is planned to operate efficiently in the region’s tropical climate without heavy reliance on air-conditioning or other energy-intensive systems.
- Buildings are oriented to reduce direct solar heat gain and maximise shade.
- Deep overhangs and verandas regulate sunlight penetration into interior spaces.
- Operable windows and cross-ventilation maintain airflow.
- Photovoltaic panels are planned to supply part of the building’s electricity.
These measures are designed not only to lower the building’s operational costs but also to ensure consistent comfort in a region with power infrastructure challenges.
A Different Kind of Healthcare Environment
This is not a standard hospital layout. It is an integrated facility that brings together medical, residential, educational, and spiritual functions in a shared physical space. The planning reflects an understanding that health outcomes are shaped not only by medicine but also by environment, support systems, and daily routines.
Key distinctions from conventional hospital design:
- No centralised corridors or waiting halls.
- Walkways connect dispersed, small-scale buildings to avoid a sense of institutional enclosure.
- Natural landscapes are used as part of the healing process, with plantings and open air woven into the campus.
By avoiding a single dominant structure, the ICCRC seeks to decentralise care and create a more flexible and adaptable environment.
The proposal is currently featured at the 2025 edition of the Time Space Existence exhibition in Venice. The platform offers visibility to architectural responses to contemporary global issues. With this project, Adjaye Associates contributes to the global conversation on healthcare design for children, especially in underserved regions.
Conclusion
The ICCRC design will offer a new approach to healthcare in the Global South. By using local materials, traditional design ideas, and climate-friendly methods, the project aims to showcase how hospitals can support healing beyond medicine.
Images- © Adjaye Associates
