US studio SHoP Architects and local studio Nutall Smith have released a set of photos showing their innovation hub and HIV research laboratory almost complete in Gaborone, Botswana.
Being built on the outskirts of the Botswanan capital city near the Kalahari Desert, the three-fingered block will house offices and laboratories for several government departments as well as space for international and local technology companies.

SHoP Architects and Nutall Smith divided the building into three long blocks that are connected by connecting arms that create a series of courtyard spaces.
The central, tallest block, which reaches four stories and is stepped down to two, will contain the majority of the innovation hub's shared amenities, including a 250-seat auditorium and bar.
Connected to the central block by two curving arms, the two-storey northern block will primarily contain laboratory space for the government and start-up businesses.

The main occupant will be the country's Ministry of Health, which will create a 4,650-square-metre HIV research lab in collaboration with US universities Baylor, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania.
The two-storey southern block will contain offices along with a business school.

SHoP Architects and Nutall Smith designed the Botswana Innovation Hub to function within the desert's demanding heat. Its roof will have large overhangs to passively shade the building and these overhands are repeated in the facade's deep articulation to ...