The EcoPrefab project by Localworks was initiated in response to Uganda’s urgent need for scalable, sustainable educational infrastructure. With 14% of primary-age children lacking access to education and a rapidly growing youth population—over 50% under age 15—the demand for classrooms is immediate and critical. Uganda’s construction industry, though growing, remains reliant on conventional methods that are costly, time-consuming, and environmentally harmful. EcoPrefab introduces an innovative, prefabricated timber construction system that merges environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic development to address this gap. The project emerges within a context of strained educational infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate learning environments—issues compounded by rapid population growth, projected at 3% annually. Uganda’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement contrasts with the continued use of high-energy materials in public projects, such as the SEED initiative. EcoPrefab responds to this disconnect by offering a regenerative, low-carbon alternative aligned with global sustainability goals. It redefines how Uganda can meet its educational infrastructure demands while promoting climate resilience, local livelihoods, and long-term ecological renewal.

EcoPrefab supports long-term community development by addressing Uganda’s educational infrastructure deficit with a scalable, sustainable solution that embeds social and economic empowerment into the construction process. Through skills transfer, Localworks partners with local fabricators and envisions collaborations with technical institutes to train youth in timber fabrication and on-site assembly—building local capacity, employability, and economic growth.

The prefabrication system uses locally available eucalyptus and pine, incorporating sawdust byproducts to promote circular economy practices. This reduces environmental impact while stimulating demand for sustainable forestry and reforestation.

EcoPrefab drastically reduces construction time and cost, accelerating the delivery of safe, climate-resilient classrooms in a country where over 14% of primary-age children lack access to schools. Improved infrastructure enhances learning outcomes, increasing the community’s ability to break cycles of poverty.

Designed for local climates and cultural contexts, the modular buildings prioritize functionality, well-being, and community pride. EcoPrefab envisions a self-sustaining model that empowers communities, addresses Uganda’s rapid urbanization and youth population growth, and fosters environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and social resilience—supporting a more inclusive and climate-conscious future.

Localworks is a multidisciplinary design and build collaborative, based in Uganda, that specialises in the design and realisation of ecological architecture in East Africa. The collaborative was founded by a group of building consultancy firms—including Studio FH Architects, Aquilla Gallery, and Equatorsun—offering integrated services with a proven track record of delivering complex projects in challenging environments.

Motivated in equal parts by idealism, pragmatism, and professionalism, we have assembled a closely-knit team of professionals—architects, interior and landscape designers, civil/structural and mechanical/electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, and project managers—who are collectively committed to advancing green architecture both in theory and in practice. Our approach is grounded in the principles of sustainable architecture, with an emphasis on site-sensitive, contextual design, and on solutions that are socioeconomically, environmentally, and technologically appropriate.

Our team is multidisciplinary, cross-cultural, and gender-diverse, reflecting the value we place on equitable representation and collaboration at every stage of a project. We continue to explore architecture as a tool for empowerment—working towards built environments that are inclusive, just, and regenerative.