Marie Amelie Ntigulirwa

RIA

Director, Accompaniment

Kigali, Rwanda

Amelie is interested in uncovering how architecture and language are intertwined. She believes that words are intrinsically connected to cultural traditions, which influence how we practice architecture. 

When she joined MASS in 2013 as a Global Health Corps Design Fellow, Amelie contributed to the planning of the Rwinkwavu Hospital and the African Rural University; the construction administration of the Rwinkwavu Maternal and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and the assessment of classrooms and their impacts on learning outcomes for primary school children. Since then, she has led background research for the National Heroes Mausoleum and stakeholder engagement for the Global Peace Institute. 

In her current role as Director of Accompaniment in the Process and Learning team, Amelie optimizes engagement tools that help our teams and our partners to deliver mission-aligned projects that consider the wider and long-term impact of their work. 

Before joining MASS, Amelie interned with UN-Habitat, where she contributed to the background paper of the Third National Urban Forum on promoting sustainable and inclusive urban spaces. 

Amelie’s commitment to learning and sharing knowledge is reflected in her role as an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Rwanda’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment (SABE), where she teaches architectural history and theory. She previously coordinated studio work and helped to review the school’s program.

Amelie holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with Honors from SABE and a Master of Science in Global Urban Development and Planning from the University of Manchester. When she is not working, Amelie enjoys craft projects.