T2 Design Lab
Country: South Africa
Team Members: Thembalethu Moyo
Problem
High-containment laboratories (HCLs) in Africa are often imported, over-engineered, and expensive to maintain, leaving local institutions dependent on donor funding.
Solution
The HCL Sandbox Design emphasizes “function over form,” integrating vernacular architectural design with modular, locally maintainable systems. HVAC systems and materials are chosen for affordability and availability in Africa.
Added Value:
This design reduces capital and maintenance costs while remaining compliant with biosafety standards. By contextualizing design to African realities, it offers a sustainable path to resilient lab infrastructure.
Contribution to Global Biosecurity:
Contribution to global biosecurity: The HCL Sandbox Design integrates local architectural methods and regionally available materials to build affordable, maintainable high-containment laboratories. By addressing the specific needs of the African continent, this design strengthens regional biosecurity infrastructure to operate independently from external resources, enhancing global capacity for pathogen control and safe research.
