BRICK BY BRICK

Abstract

The project site is a small primary healthcare clinic located in Melusi, an informal settlement in Pretoria West, South Africa. Funded by the University of Pretoria, the clinic operates two days per week and provides general healthcare services including family planning and maternal health. Supported by fieldworkers, caretakers, and one doctor, the clinic serves approximately 25–35 patients per day and plays an important role in the local community. For many residents, alternative healthcare facilities are located too far away and require transportation costs, making the clinic an essential and accessible healthcare resource. During the rainy season, large parts of the clinic grounds become muddy and difficult to navigate, limiting access for both patients and staff. In response, a small-scale paving prototype was developed through a process of co-design and co-building with local stakeholders. Workshops, site observations, and continuous discussions with clinic users informed the design and helped identify priority areas for improvement. Following a frugal design approach, the intervention was constructed using low-cost, locally available, and reused paving materials to improve accessibility, safety, and functionality. Rather than being a finished solution, the paving intervention is intended as a prototype and a starting point for future development. Designed to be easily extended and adapted, it aims to support long-term community ownership and inspire further improvements to the clinic environment. The project demonstrates how small, collaborative interventions can create meaningful local impact while contributing to broader discussions on health, sustainability, and community-led development.