Henning Larsen, in collaboration with the Kampala-based Siimi Design Studio, has unveiled the design for a new modular campus for El Cambio Academy, a youth football and education institution located in Masaka, Uganda. The project, currently under construction, utilizes rammed earth construction techniques, with bricks made from locally sourced soil on-site. The first phase, which includes a boys’ dormitory, is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. This 1,280-square-meter campus is designed to house 60 children aged 9 to 16, providing both academic education and athletic training facilities.
To accommodate both present needs and future growth, the campus is designed with modularity in mind, ensuring that it can evolve over time. The architectural approach follows simple, repeatable design principles that prioritize flexibility, ease of construction, and long-term adaptability. The master plan includes primary and secondary school buildings, a gymnasium, male and female dormitories, a full-size football pitch, a playground, and various open-air and semi-enclosed learning spaces. A walking trail encircles the site, encouraging movement and creating informal opportunities for play and community interaction.
The design is heavily influenced by local construction traditions and materials. Siimi Design Studio brings a wealth of experience with Uganda’s longstanding rammed earth techniques, enabling the integration of traditional knowledge with modern architectural strategies. The main buildings, including the schools and dormitories, are constructed with 400mm-thick rammed earth walls made from soil excavated during site preparation. These walls are finished with clay plaster, enhancing durability and providing thermal mass. Interior partitions are constructed from woven wooden screens coated with adobe, maintaining both functionality and a local aesthetic.
Roof structures are designed to enhance both environmental performance and spatial comfort. Timber rafters support slanted roofs made of corrugated sheets, with integrated papyrus screening to control acoustics and light. These angled roofs enable stack ventilation, regulating indoor temperatures, while narrow openings between the roof and walls, shielded by woven wooden screens, provide cross-ventilation. This design ensures privacy, while also admitting indirect natural light.
Throughout the campus, passive climate strategies are prioritized, responding to the region’s warm, humid climate. All major spaces are naturally ventilated through roof geometry, screened openings, and breathable wall systems. Bio-based materials are used wherever possible to minimize the embodied carbon footprint and support a regenerative approach to design. Concrete is used sparingly, primarily for foundational elements like plinths and slabs, which lift the buildings above ground level to protect them during the rainy season.
This project represents a growing interest in how architecture can respond to local climates, materials, and community needs through modular and context-sensitive design. Similar projects, like the International Children’s Cancer Research Centre in Ghana by Adjaye Associates, also use local materials like rammed earth, clay brick, timber, and composite earth slabs. Additionally, Zaha Hadid Architects’ Asaan Museum, currently under construction, will be the firm’s first project to use adobe construction, marking a significant shift towards sustainable, locally sourced building techniques.
The El Cambio Academy campus is a prime example of how architecture can serve both the environment and the community. By blending local knowledge with adaptable design, this project aims to create a resilient, expandable campus that will support the academy’s evolving needs. It stands as a testament to how thoughtful, regionally informed design can contribute to both the present and the future, creating a sustainable and functional space for the next generation of students.