Haiti Project - Klinik "Pou Nou"
In 2018, the Architecture, Design, and Facility Management departments at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences realized a transformative design-build project in Jacmel, Haiti, as part of their international UNITY program. In partnership with the NGO Haiti-Nothilfe e.V. and coordinated by Mirador e.V., students planned, financed, and constructed "Klinik Pou Nou" (Clinic for Us) on the grounds of the FMCS orphanage.
This initiative responded to the acute healthcare needs of Jacmel’s displaced population, who settled in makeshift communities after the 2010 earthquake. Haiti, as the poorest country in the western hemisphere, faces severe challenges: widespread poverty, high infant mortality, low life expectancy, and inadequate infrastructure, especially in healthcare.
By engaging in all phases of the project—from concept to construction—students gained practical experience while making a meaningful humanitarian contribution. The clinic now provides essential medical services to a vulnerable community lacking access to healthcare, exemplifying the UNITY program’s commitment to combining academic learning with social responsibility.
Images and Plans
Technical Description
The Klinik Pou Nou medical clinic was designed and built by an interdisciplinary student team from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences between 2015 and 2018. Responding to urgent healthcare needs in Jacmel’s underserved suburbs, the project provided a multifunctional facility for basic medical care, emergency treatment, and health education. The 200 m² clinic was constructed using locally sourced materials and techniques, ensuring ease of maintenance and future expansion.
A key aspect of the project was the integration of orphanage youth into the building process, fostering practical skills and local capacity in a country lacking formal apprenticeship systems. Students and local youth collaborated in all phases—from concrete work to furniture making—while additional infrastructure such as a school garden and chicken coop supported nutrition and income for the orphanage.
The project involved 19 students in planning and 15 in construction, representing Architecture, Design, and Facility Management. The €101,279 budget was financed through university support, student contributions, private and corporate donations, grants, and fundraising activities, reflecting strong community and institutional engagement.
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Claus Dießenbacher and coordinated by Michael Bieler and Tobias Rümmler, the project exemplifies hands-on, socially engaged architectural education and sustainable development through international cooperation. The clinic is operated by Haiti-Nothilfe e.V., which continues to secure funding for its long-term sustainability.