BUILDINGS VISITING AND ANALYSIS

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

In the application of rocks and stones referring to their use in building, we organised a visit to School of
Architecture and Built Environment in The College Of Science and Technology. During this visit we were
explained about the reason they chose to use stones from regions of volcanoes such as Musanze in the
West of Rwanda;

Figure 1: Map of SABE; showing the analyzed place

School of Architecture and Built Environment is constructed in such a way that the outer layers of the
buildings are covered by Ignatius rocks volcanic regions.

Figure 2: SABE building covered by particles of igneous rocks

Within a short conversation with head of the school; Dr. SANDRO told us that “These buildings are like
monuments; they were covered with a layer of these stones just to symbolize volcanoes in the western
part of Rwanda and that’s the logic behind the design and the colors on these buildings.”

The stones on these buildings or the igneous rocks look like burnt materials and they appear black with
inside holes.

Figure 3: Appearance of igneous rocks on SABE building

THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL OF KIGALI (CHUK)

CHUK is a hospital located in Nyarugenge district of Kigali city. It is among the top powerful hospitals in
Rwanda.

Figure 4: Location of CHUK Hospital and the scope where the analysis has been made
In the concept of design and construction materials, this hospital decided to use sedimentary rocks to
cover the concrete walls and as foundation;

Figure 5: Use of sedimentary rocks to cover wall

This Hospital decided to use such stones as a kind of strengthening the wall and improving the quality of
the way in order to fight against natural disasters like landslides.

This kind of stones is commonly found on many peoples’ buildings, covering the walls and acting as
foundation. Therefore, these stones are available than igneous rocks.

I&M BANK BUILDING

I&M Bank building is one of the architectural buildings in Kigali city that demonstrates use of local
materials in its construction. Its located in Kigali city opposite to Head office of Kigali city;
Figure 6: Location of I&M Bank and analyzed site

On this building, the concept of construction is that the Architects used African local materials for
construction and the stones for construction for design and strengthening the building;
Figure 7: I&M Bank designed using mineral rocks together with igneous rocks

These rocks on the building were purposely used for designing and beautifying it. According to the
design principles, the building is one of the most recognized buildings in Kigali city for its design nature
and construction materials.
Figure 8: Design rock stones at I&M Bank

WATER STREAM IN GITEGA, NYARUGENGE

Different kinds of stones are used to construct of water streams in order to avoid overflow of water
from its pathway. It isn’t only to protect water for overflow but also to strengthen the side walls to avoid
penetration of water which can result into landslides.

It’s for this case that we visited a water stream in Gitega sector of Nyarugenge district where the
construction company constructed a water stream besides the road as a way of providing pathway for
the water.
Figure 9: Water stream construction using stones

Conclusively, the application of stones in architectural field has been helpful and in the progress people
are trying to form stones and rocks into other shapes for better contruction.