In this episode, ‘Lowo Adeyemi explores one of the most urgent frontiers in healthcare design — decolonization.
Modern healthcare spaces were born from systems of authority, often imposed without the voices or values of the communities they serve. But what would healing look like if the spaces of care were shaped by the people themselves?
Through historical reflection, global case studies, and design ethics, this episode reframes healthcare architecture as a site of power, culture, and possibility. It challenges designers, planners, and policymakers to move from a model of service to one of solidarity — creating spaces that not only heal but also liberate.
Key Themes
The colonial roots of institutional healthcare architecture
How design perpetuates — or dismantles — inequity
The role of cultural aesthetics in defining what “healing” looks like
Community-led and participatory models of design
The ethics of collaboration: designing with, not for
Spatial justice and the democratization of healthcare space
Case Studies Highlighted
Butaro District Hospital, Rwanda – MASS Design Group’s community-built model of dignity and local agency
Barefoot College Health Clinics, India – Women-led, self-sustaining rural health design
Indigenous Health Centers (Canada, Australia) – Integrating traditional cosmologies and circular space planning for cultural resonance
Key Takeaways
Healing is cultural, not just clinical.
Architecture should reflect the rhythms, rituals, and relationships of the communities it serves.
Design is political.
Every plan, corridor, and waiting room encodes assumptions about who belongs — and who doesn’t.
Community authorship is the new expertise.
Co-designing with patients, caregivers, and local builders is essential to true inclusion.
Decolonizing design means restoring dignity.
The goal is not to reject modern healthcare models, but to infuse them with local identity, wisdom, and equity.
Memorable Quote from the Episode
“To decolonize healthcare architecture is to reclaim the right to design our own recovery — to ensure that every wall and corridor tells a story of inclusion.” — ‘Lowo Adeyemi
Who Should Listen
Healthcare architects & planners
Public health policymakers
Hospital administrators & NGOs
Academics in architecture, anthropology, and global health
Anyone interested in design justice and community empowerment
