Taking into account the different living conditions facing Sub-Saharan Africa, A&M environmental design students have a plan to address health problems in Nigeria.
Teams of design students will present five “dual-hospital” designs Monday for the Thompson & Grace Medical City, a complex consisting of two hospitals as well as a medical school, research institute, conference center, elementary school and artisan village, according to a College of Architecture press release. The project is supported by Thompson & Grace Investments, a Nigerian based firm.
George J. Mann, A&M professor of health facilities design, oversaw the design teams and said students had to consider the climate’s role in the health of Nigeria.
“In developing their designs, student had to consider Nigeria’s climate and culture, as well as the leading causes of illness and death in the country – malaria, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS and diarrheal diseases,” said Mann in the press release.
Mann said student designs include well-sealed buildings and rooftop drainage to compensate for the 100 inches of annual rainfall in the Nigerian region.
Student participant Austin Ash said in the release that students were pressed to consider cultural norms in addition to the extreme topical conditions while designing the hospitals.
The presentation is open to the public and will take place at 1 p.m. in Legacy Hall at the Jon L. Hagler Center.