Abahizi Rwanda Workshop

Abahizi Rwanda is a women run artesian cooperative formed after the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They specializing in handmade woven goods. In 2013 we helped facilitate the creation of the On Purpose project by Kate Spade Inc in partnership with Abahizi Rwanda. On Purpose’s mission is to empower female artisans and businesses in emerging rural communities. By 2018 the On Purpose project had generated funds to complete the Abahizi Workshop and supplied it’s arts new equipment, as well as production, management, and accounting training. The Workshop itself utilizes natural daylighting and ventilation, rain water harvesting and a free plan which can be adapted to the needs of different projects. In 2019 we added a community meeting room working from the same passive lighting and venting strategies. This new building housed educational services in accounting and business management for Abahizi members and the larger community. Today Abahizi has over 100 cooperative members and crafts a number of products for the Kate Spade On Purpose line which are sold worldwide.


Project Team

General Architecture Collaborative:

  • Yutaka Sho

  • James Setzler

  • Leighton Beaman

Project Data

Location :

  • Masoro, Rulindo District, Rwanda

Size:

  • Site: 0.25 Hectars

  • Building: 310 square meters

Project Partners

Community Partners

  • Kate Spade NY, On Purpose

  • Abahizi Rwanda

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Jabana Preschool Playground