The Episcopal University in Juba

Strategy

Opportunity

The Episcopal Church envisioned The Episcopal University (TEU) as a Christian-based university that would contribute to the rebuilding of South Sudan through quality education and the development of servant leaders.

The Juba campus had an opportunity to expand through the acquisition of an adjacent children’s home, while its existing buildings and access points needed to be reorganized into a cohesive campus supporting learning, worship, residential life, and community gatherings.

Response

IDD developed a masterplan centered around a central plaza connecting the university’s key functions. Educational buildings are concentrated to the east, while student residences occupy the west, buffered by a multi-sport field that can also host graduations and larger community gatherings.

Existing buildings are adapted where possible, including converting the administration building into a guesthouse and expanding the chapel to accommodate more students and larger gatherings. Pedestrian connections are prioritized throughout the campus, with separate main and service vehicle entrances.

Sustainability

The campus is designed to respond to Juba’s warm climate through passive cooling strategies. Building orientation and placement support natural cross-ventilation, helping air move through the buildings and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.

Perforated brick screens and climbing plants are incorporated into the facades to provide shade and reduce direct solar heat gain, while adding texture and greenery to the campus. Together, these strategies create a more comfortable environment while reducing the energy required to cool the buildings.

Impact

The masterplan creates a unified campus where learning, worship, community, and student life are woven together, providing TEU with a framework to grow while supporting its mission of developing the next generation of servant leaders in South Sudan.