29/09/2025
In search of the soul of Ugandan architecture…
Architecture has the power to inspire and intrigue, yet many buildings remain mediocre, ordinary, or mundane. While inspiring structures evoke positive emotions and respond to human needs and the environment, the latter can deflate the human spirit and drain energy.
With 40 years of architectural practice in Uganda, I have critically assessed the professional methodologies and outputs from the "Industrial Age" at the start of my career to the current trend of uncoordinated global building styles in the "Information Age." My experience includes conducting casual post-occupancy evaluations of various buildings based on technical, functional, and behavioral criteria.
A noticeable trend is the rise of "iconic/superfluous" structures built randomly, consuming considerable resources over extended periods. This is evident across the country, where similar residential and commercial buildings emerge under diverse social, environmental, and market conditions.
To what extent must an architect stretch their creative capabilities to design lively buildings that spark joy and enhance productivity? The efforts must go beyond superficial global aesthetics and undefined functionality.
Defining basic design parameters and establishing project programs require a thorough diagnosis of the situation rather than a compulsive adherence to international styles. Intangible behavioral factors, including lifestyle consciousness, cultural values, and environmental opportunities and challenges, should be integrated into the design process alongside the tangible technical matters outlined in building codes.
In considering the built environment, technical aspects such as structure, walling, roofing, and fire safety apply to the entire building, while interior finishes, illumination, acoustics, and HVAC pertain to specific spaces. Functionality aspects like circulation, workflow, human factors, storage, flexibility, and change are cross-cutting and influence the entire project program.
While technical and functional criteria are well-established goals, behavioral factors such as space suitability, proximity, territory, privacy, interaction, and image are what make a building feel alive and perform sustainably at effective operational and maintenance costs.
To truly find the soul of architecture, we must delve deeper
ARCH. DAVY MUGAMBA
