FBW Group delivers eco-friendly UN headquarters in Uganda

UGANDA—FBW Group, an African-based architecture and engineering firm, has successfully led an international team to construct a new eco-friendly headquarters for two significant United Nations agencies in Uganda.

This achievement follows FBW’s inauguration of Malawi’s first specialist postgraduate medical training center, the Clinical Research Excellence And Training Open Resource (CREATOR).

This center, with state-of-the-art facilities, aims to revolutionize the clinical research landscape in the region.

The new combined office, located in Kampala, will serve the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The multi-million-dollar project, which spans 2.6 acres in Mbuya, is now complete and has been officially handed over to the respective agencies.

UNICEF and WFP, with a combined staff of 350, will share this modern facility, which was designed to foster collaboration and efficiency.

FBW Group not only provided comprehensive in-house design services but also acted as the project lead throughout the development process.

The firm, which operates in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, boasts a robust portfolio of projects for regional international organisations, including various initiatives for the United Nations (UN).

UNICEF provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children worldwide, while WFP serves as the food assistance branch of the UN and is recognised as the world’s largest humanitarian organization.

The FBW team designed a four-story office building with shared meeting rooms and conference facilities tailored to the needs of both organizations.

Sustainability is a core principle of this development, and designers have implemented natural ventilation and maximized daylight throughout the building.

The design reduces energy use, water consumption, and material utilization by 20%.

As a result, the building has earned an EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certificate from the IFC-World Bank, a global benchmark for green building standards.

Additionally, the construction utilized locally sourced materials, further enhancing its environmental credentials.

The international team spearheaded by FBW included Orbit Design from Thailand, which specialises in interior design; Landmark Studio from South Africa, which provides landscaping expertise; and Mace YMR, based in Kampala, who serves as the scheme’s quantity surveyor.

FBW has exemplified a commitment to global partnerships by collaborating closely with engineers and architects from WFP in Rome and UNICEF in New York.

FBW Group secured this project through a competitive international open procurement process. Stuart Harley, FBW’s director of operations based in Kampala, expressed pride in the new office development, highlighting that it brings two major UN organizations together under one roof.

He emphasized that the project reflects a sustainable vision, seamlessly integrating with the local landscape and addressing the needs of the agencies and their staff.

Additionally, Harley noted that over the past 25 years, FBW Group has collaborated with a diverse array of international organizations in Africa, including contributions to UN facilities in Tanzania.

“Many of our current clients are international health and research organizations, bringing first-world specialist facilities to Africa,” he remarked.

Echoing this sentiment, Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s country director in Uganda, emphasized that the new eco-friendly office signifies WFP’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the well-being of its employees.

Similarly, Munir Safieldin, UNICEF’s representative to Uganda, remarked that this climate-smart office building transcends mere functionality; it symbolizes a dedication to building a sustainable future for the next generation.

He added, “By investing in eco-friendly infrastructure, we are demonstrating to today’s children that their future matters.”

This building embodies their collective responsibility to protect not only the most vulnerable populations but also the environment that future generations will inherit.

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