Tuckey Design Studio have collaborated with Medical Mission Eswatini to create an eye hospital proposal, improving medical facilities for remote communities within this small landlocked nation.

Medical Mission Eswatini partner with local organisations in the pursuit of safe, efficient and accessible healthcare throughout the country. The existing clinic is in desperate need of expansion, with its infrastructure heavily relied upon in the town of Siteki and beyond. The brief outlined a desire to harness the potential of the unusual triangular plot, with two new buildings: a clinic and operation theatre.

The sites axis is defined by a main road to the east, medicinal farm to the south and quiet track road to the west. The proposed alignment of volumes references this strong geometry, with a rhythmic sequence of waiting rooms, treatment facilities, receptions and theatres connected via colonnades and landscaped gardens. The masterplan considers future expansion with potential development sites mapped out in a linear orientation.

Materiality is at the heart of the plans, with elements locally sourced, referencing both the landscape and contextual architectural heritage. The day clinic and operation theatre will be composed of compressed earth blocks made on site, achieving a visual and material cohesion between the earthy red structures and the soil on which they sit. The loamy soil composition of the locality lends itself as an optimal construction material, absorbing high levels of humidity, thereby neutralising condensation and moderating interior temperature of the clinic when complete. This organic construction method will compose the pillars and walls, propping up timber beams crowned by corrugated tin roofs. Rattan bamboo canopies improve ventilation whilst preventing insects and pests from entering sanitized areas.

Inside, reused shipping containers will wrap around the main operating theatre, creating a sealed and temperature-controlled environment within the brick and timber framework.  A pigmented concrete floor will unify the indoors and outdoors, reinforcing the rich colour scheme whilst being practical, easy to clean and durable.

Adjacent to the main buildings will sit a contemplative series of green pockets, including a medicinal garden and sensory floral nursery. Brail signage and a modular planting wayfinding structure will define the sensory garden, offering patients peaceful spaces in which to unwind, interact and reflect.

The project is currently midway through fundraising with the hope of commencement on site in late 2024.