Nestled on the lush eastern slopes of the Atewa Range in Kyebi, Ghana, the International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) redefines paediatric healthcare in West Africa. Designed by Adjaye Associates for the Wish4Life Foundation, this 225,000m² campus is a pioneering effort to transform childhood cancer care. The ICCRC is the region’s first facility dedicated solely to treating and researching paediatric cancers. With survival rates in West Africa at just 10%, compared to 80% in the United States, the centre aims to close this gap. Commissioned by the Wish4Life Foundation, it embodies founder Dr. Tanya Trippett’s belief that no child should be denied a cure. David Adjaye’s vision emphasizes communion with nature, ensuring the hospital feels like a sanctuary, not a machine. The project integrates Akan cultural principles, viewing illness as a disruption of personal, social, and environmental balance. Its unveiling at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 highlights its global significance as a model for healthcare design.

The ICCRC is a holistic campus, encompassing a children’s hospital, research labs, a training institute, residential housing, a chapel, and a family support centre. These elements form a connected ecosystem that prioritizes emotional and spiritual wellbeing alongside physical recovery. The masterplan, developed with ABP’s engineering and Jeffrey Berman Architects’ consultancy, is organized around courtyards inspired by the Akan Fihankra. These open-air spaces serve as social and sacred hubs, fostering reflection and connection. Local materials like rammed earth, clay brickwork, and timber create warm, familiar structures. The Welcome Centre, an earthen building, greets visitors with a sense of belonging. Clinical buildings feature pre-cast concrete screens inspired by Kente cloth, celebrating Akan heritage. Sustainable features, including passive cooling and photovoltaic panels, ensure environmental resilience and self-sufficiency.

This project introduces a new typology of care, dissolving boundaries between hospital, home, and classroom. By integrating medical treatment with education and community support, the ICCRC creates an African model of excellence. The training institute will nurture future oncologists, ensuring long-term impact. Family housing and support centres provide a nurturing environment for those accompanying patients. The architecture, rooted in biophilic principles, uses vibrant gardens and natural light to foster dignity and hope. Unlike sterile conventional hospitals, the campus feels like a village, alive with cultural resonance. Adjaye’s design, as he notes, embeds Akan weaving traditions into the building’s DNA. This culturally intelligent approach makes the ICCRC a global exemplar of context-driven healthcare design.

The ICCRC’s visionary design is now showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, within the European Cultural Commission’s installation at Palazzo Bembo. An interactive video and immersive displays invite visitors to explore its biophilic masterplan and cultural roots. The installation highlights the centre’s role in redefining healthcare for underserved regions. Palazzo Bembo’s historic yet contemporary setting amplifies the project’s forward-thinking ethos. Open until November 23, 2025, the Biennale offers a global stage for this transformative vision. The ICCRC sparks dialogue about architecture’s potential to heal and empower communities. Its debut underscores the power of design to address pressing global challenges. Visitors can experience a project that transcends borders and reimagines the hospital as a place of hope.

The International Children’s Cancer Research Centre is a testament to architecture’s ability to restore balance and inspire change. By blending medical innovation with cultural sensitivity, it sets a new standard for paediatric care. The campus not only treats illness but also nurtures the emotional and spiritual needs of its community. Its sustainable design ensures resilience in a resource-scarce context. The project’s unveiling at the Biennale positions it as a beacon for future healthcare facilities. Adjaye Associates and the Wish4Life Foundation have crafted a legacy of dignity and transformation. Every child at the ICCRC is given the chance to heal and thrive. Visit Palazzo Bembo before November 23, 2025, to witness this groundbreaking vision firsthand.