The Hospice for Chipata is a self-sustainable place for the palliation of terminally ill patients in Chipata, Zambia.
An intensive and integrated approach to climate, energy, engineering, physics and architecture has led to a very sustainable plan. It will be a comfortable stay for 24 up to 48 people with a CO2 footprint smaller than an average Dutch household.
The building consists of bedrooms and amenities placed around a central core with room for staff and storage of equipment and medication. All connected by the circular corridor. The central organization makes the building very efficient in terms of walking distance and gives it a clear overview, which makes it possible to run with less staff.
The shape of the building has been adjusted to the subtropical climate in order to create a pleasant indoor climate using as little energy as possible. Good natural ventilation is important and provided by the central core, which works as a heat chimney.
In addition to using high-tech means, such as solar panels, low-tech solutions are used as much as possible. This is done because the hospice will be build and maintained with local materials and people. Local residents are trained in building and running the hospice to guarantee the continuity of the project.
The start of the building is planned for July 2011.