Kigali Convention Centre

Kigali, Rwanda, Africa

Completed · Commercial · International Convention Centre · Tropical · 2016

A 28,000 m² convention complex in Kigali whose signature feature is a 40-metre-high structurally self-supporting spiral steel dome, parameterically designed with no internal columns, clad externally in glass and internally with a layered lamella system that blocks solar overheating. The dome form and the striped facade pattern are both derived from traditional Rwandan basket-weaving and royal palace geometry, making cultural reference through digital structural engineering rather than surface decoration.

Innovation highlights

  • 40m column-free spiral steel dome designed via 3D parametric modelling with no internal supports
  • Double-layer dome skin: exterior glass cladding plus interior lamella screen to block tropical solar overheating
  • Structural geometry derived from Rwandan royal palace dome forms translated through computational engineering
  • Facade stripe pattern generated from Rwandan imigongo and basket-weaving motifs at building scale
  • Largest convention facility in East Africa at time of completion, anchoring Kigali's MICE economy
Client / Developer
Government of Rwanda / Rwanda Convention Bureau
Architect
Spatial Solutions (Roland Dieterle)
Engineer
Bollinger + Grohmann
Type
International Convention Centre

#parametric structure #dome #cultural identity #solar shading #computational design #East Africa #MICE #steel structure #heritage-informed

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