Roland Dieterle, a German architect came with the amazing design for the project, way back in 2004. He was inspired by the King's Palace in Nyanza during the planning phases.
Dieterle says the scope and complexity of the project carries an important message: “It says, ‘We are a modern country, we can deal with complexity, we can show the world that Africa is a continent and Rwanda is a country where modern life can take place,'”
The design is also meant to speak to everyone. “It’s a building that doesn’t need much explanation … even people without much knowledge about art or culture would understand this design. It’s a building for them, not just for some elite people,” Dieterle says.
The spiral motif found in Rwandan baskets, such as imigongo paintings, was also incorporated in the building’s structure. You can see the spiral construction in the walkways that encircle the dome and by looking up at the dome’s ceiling from the inside.
