Turning a medical facility - a blood donation centre - into a 'playful, intuitive receptacle' was the challenge of this project, along with the restricted budget. The building was completed in 12 months at a total cost of c US$ 200 per square metre, including services and site development. The architect kept costs low by custom-designing and locally fabricating all doors, windows and modular furniture, including steel work stations, as well as items such as water dispensers and fully automatic donor chairs. The structure - of reinforced concrete - survived the devastating earthquake of 2000.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture