Tambacounda Hospital: The Breathing S-Curve, Tambacounda, Senegal

Serving as the only major hospital for a region of over 20,000 patients, the Tambacounda Maternity and Paediatric Hospital is a vital lifeline in eastern Senegal. Designed by Manuel Herz Architects and backed by the Albers Foundation, this two-story facility rejects the overcrowded, stuffy corridors of traditional clinics. Instead, it takes the form of a sweeping, curvilinear S-shape wrapped in a breathable brick lattice, providing a naturally cooled sanctuary for healing.

A Social Spine in the Shape of an S

Before this intervention, doctors in Tambacounda were working under extremely difficult conditions, with communal spaces severely overcrowded. The new design brings a sense of coherence, dignity, and comfort to both the patients and their visiting families.

By bringing the maternity and pediatric clinics together under one roof, the building acts as a unified hub of care. The structure's extensive, sweeping length allows for the smooth circulation of staff and patients. Crucially, the bends of the "S" curve naturally form shaded exterior courtyards. These pockets of space serve as outdoor waiting and resting areas, turning the architecture itself into a truly social spine.

Tectonics: The Passive Cooling Engine

In a climate defined by extreme heat, Herz’s design utilizes several passive innovations to completely forgo the need for air conditioning.

The 7-Meter Rule: The entire building is intentionally narrow, only seven meters wide. This specific width guarantees that every single room can be aired and cooled naturally through cross-ventilation. The Mashrabiya Skin: The facade features a lattice-like brickwork with continuous apertures. Inspired by traditional mashrabiya screens, this skin blocks direct, harsh sunlight while facilitating free air circulation. It also gives the hospital a distinct visual identity, casting a beautiful play of light and shade across the interior wards.

The Double Roof: A second roof hovers over the primary roof of the building. This shields the structure from direct solar radiation and creates a "chimney effect" (stack effect), drawing hot air upwards and pulling it out of the patient rooms below.

The Living Building: Minimal Means, Maximum Effect

Echoing the Bauhaus ethos of Josef and Anni Albers, "minimal means for maximum effect", the hospital is deeply embedded within the local economy.

Local Craftsmanship: Herz collaborated almost exclusively with local leader Dr. Magueye Ba and craftsmen from Tambacounda and surrounding villages, ensuring the project injected capital and skills directly into the rural economy. A Catalyst for Growth: The holistic nature of the project sparked further community development. For example, a test facade built early on to examine how the perforated bricks would function in the climate was later expanded to build a small new school for neighboring children.

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