Bidi Bidi is the largest refugee settlement in Africa, the second largest in the world, with a population of nearly 270,000, the majority of whom fled their homes due to violent conflict in South Sudan and 65% of whom are under the age of 18.

The structure will take the form of a sheltered, semi- open-air amphitheatre that can double as a performance venue or community gathering space. The centre will provide classrooms, a recording studio, and spaces for music training, as well as a tree nursery, vegetable garden and freshwater facilities – all essentials in a community where food and water shortages are rapidly worsening due to climate change.

Bidi Bidi Music & Arts Centre’s construction uses low-cost, low-carbon local building materials, with a labour force comprising refugees and host-community Ugandans. The walls of the building employ compressed earth brick (as opposed to fired brick) using soil excavated from the site itself. large lightweight funnel- shaped roof cools the inside of the building and collects rainwater which is then filtered to provide potable water to the community.