Perkins Eastman served as the Design Architect of Record for the World Bank’s office in Uganda, working closely with its Washington headquarters to deliver master planning, interior design, and sustainability services alongside architectural design. Collaborating with a local team of engineers and construction managers, Perkins Eastman successfully realized a design concept that celebrates Uganda’s unique architectural, cultural, and artistic language.
The building’s design and materials—such as locally produced brick—echo the rhythm and order found in local architecture and textiles. Vibrant splashes of color and pattern further energize the interior environment. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning mountain views, filling the interiors with daylight and seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. Local artifacts and materials are thoughtfully incorporated throughout, adding character and serenity to the workplace.
The new country office in Uganda is designed to meet the organization’s mission while addressing critical operational and safety requirements. It includes a sallyport to control entry and exit, comprehensive physical and electronic security, a blast-resistant slab, and engineering that prevents a progressive collapse.
The building responds to its location along the equator with deep overhangs and vertical shading devices that minimize glare while maximizing daylight with a relatively shallow floor plate. An oversized skylight illuminates the central monumental stair, which serves as a key wayfinding element within the building, along with a large terrace on the floor that’s equipped with touch-down working space and informal meetings. Taking advantage of the site’s steep terrain, the first-floor cafeteria opens to a rear terrace with additional outdoor seating. The first floor also features a large, flexible boardroom (which opens to the adjacent cafeteria) that accommodates all-hands meetings and, for more formal occasions, offers full AV capabilities.
The Bank’s requirements for its new country office, on the whole, were much more stringent than any other local or regional building code. Perkins Eastman and its local team of professionals met those requirements and delivered the project on time and on budget, despite the entirety of the construction taking place during the pandemic.