32° East Arts Centre: Urban Earth & Circular Creativity Location: Kabalagala, Kampala, Uganda
Located in the bustling heart of Kampala, 32° East is a sanctuary for creation. Designed by New Makers Bureau and Localworks, this arts centre is a masterclass in the circular economy. Built from the very soil excavated from its foundations and roofed with timber reused from its own construction scaffolding, it creates a serene, breathing space for artists amidst the urban chaos.
32° East: The Art of Excavation
"Art is not a mirror held up to society but a hammer with which to shape it." This project embodies that sentiment. In the noisy, traffic-heavy neighborhood of Kabalagala, the 32° East Arts Centre sits quietly, anchored into the sloping terrain.
Unlike the glass and concrete towers rising in many African capitals, this building looks down rather than up. It is a "grounded" project, drawing inspiration from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia) and the playful brickwork of Alvar Aalto. It feels ancient and brand new all at once, a neighbor recently remarked, "I saw this building going up, but it feels like it was here even before I arrived."
The Vision: Radical Circularity
The construction process was designed to be a closed loop, minimizing waste and carbon transport. The Soil: The building is literally made of the site. Soil excavated for the foundations was sieved and pressed into the Rammed Earth walls and Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB).
The Wood: The eucalyptus timber used for the roof shingles had a past life. It was first used as the formwork (molds) for the rammed earth walls and scaffolding. Once the walls were done, the wood was dismantled, cut, and reused as shingles to protect the building from rain.
Tectonics: Texture and Breath
The building rejects the "sealed box" approach of modern air-conditioned offices. Breathing Walls: There is no glazing in the windows, only shutters. The building breathes through "hit-and-miss" honeycomb brickwork patterns that allow breeze and dappled light to filter in while keeping the harsh sun out.
Material Hierarchy: The facade tells a geologic story. A base of local sandstone (protecting against damp) supports the rammed earth walls, which are topped by the silver-tinted timber roof. The interior floors are lime-rendered, left slightly imperfect to invite artists to walk barefoot.
The Living Building: A Sanctuary for Creators
The centre is designed to foster critical thinking and experimentation. The Courtyard: The layout turns its back on the noisy street, focusing inward on a quiet courtyard garden. Passive Cool: The thick earth walls provide high thermal mass, keeping the studios cool during the day (essential in 30°C heat) and acoustically isolated for focused work. A narrow rooflight traces a ribbon of sun across the floor, connecting the artists inside to the passage of time outside.
Data Sheet
Project: 32° East Arts Centre Location: Kampala, Uganda Architects: New Makers Bureau + Localworks Completion Year: 2023 (Phase 1) Key Materials: Rammed Earth, Compressed Earth Bricks, Eucalyptus Shingles, Sandstone Typology: Gallery, Studios, Library, Art Hub Awards: Dezeen Awards 2023 (Cultural Project of the Year) Photographs: Timothy Latim
Project Gallery
