Children's Home, Nkoranza
Nkoranza / Ghana
Why this project matters
In January 2007, a group of children living in central Ghana were suddenly left homeless when the property they had been living in was reclaimed by its owner. With just one month to vacate and no suitable alternative available, the Dutch charity, Let Kids Smile, asked Article 25 to step in and help design and deliver a new home. Located in the poorest neighbourhood of Nkoranza, the project aimed to provide a safe, permanent and child-friendly space for 25–30 children and their live-in carers.
The design
Article 25 developed a thoughtful, sustainable design tailored to the needs of the children and the local context. The new home is arranged in a protective horseshoe shape around a cluster of trees, creating a shaded courtyard where the children can safely play. The layout includes sleeping areas, carers’ rooms, and study spaces, all linked by a covered cloister. A kitchen sits at one end of the building, with a sitting area at the other, creating a welcoming and functional living space.
The design was informed by local construction techniques, climate considerations and cultural relevance. The site - roughly the size of a football pitch - was also designed to support agriculture, with space to grow crops and raise animals like goats and chickens.
Impact and delivery
The project was delivered in just four and a half months, thanks to close collaboration with local builders and strong community support. Local tradespeople were employed throughout, and volunteers from the community came together to move stones, carry timber, pump water, and prepare the land. This not only sped up construction but also supported the local economy.
The completed home now provides a much more comfortable and dignified living environment. The surrounding land offers the children opportunities to learn farming skills and contribute to the centre’s income through agriculture. Completed in June 2007, the Nkoranza Children’s Home remains a place of stability, learning, and care for some of the town’s most vulnerable children.
PROJECT TYPE: Children’s home
PROJECT PARTNERS: Let Kids Smile
STATUS: Completed
