Thanks to the incredible generosity of the AIA East Bay community, Geoffrey Mosoti Nyakiongora has just returned from presenting his groundbreaking work at the 2025 Venice Biennale—one of the world’s most prestigious architectural exhibitions.
Geoffrey, an MIT graduate student and former winner of the AIA East Bay Student Design Award, was selected to exhibit his visionary research project, Bridging the Health Divide: Achieving Equitable Healthcare Access in Rural Kenya Through AI. The work explores how artificial intelligence, trained on culturally specific data, can revolutionize hospital design in underserved regions. See examples of his project here (scroll to bottom)
His design addresses a critical issue: over 75% of Kenya’s population lacks health insurance, and rural hospitals face chronic shortages in staff, medicine, and infrastructure. Geoffrey’s research proposes a scalable, AI-driven solution—harnessing machine learning models trained on local health and cultural data to create clinics that are adaptable, affordable, and aligned with community needs.
The Road to Venice Was Not Easy
Geoffrey’s path to the Biennale was filled with uncertainty. Despite the historic honor—he is only the second Kenyan graduate architect ever invited to
exhibit—his student research funding was slashed by Trump-era policies. On top of that, as an international student, Geoffrey faced a terrifying possibility: that he might not be allowed back into the United States after traveling abroad.
Still, he pushed forward, committed to making his vision for more equitable healthcare a reality. With support from over 60 donors via a community-driven GoFundMe campaign, Geoffrey was able to attend the Biennale’s opening and proudly represent not only Kenya and MIT, but also the AIA East Bay chapter where his journey first gained momentum.
Why It Matters
Geoffrey’s research is about more than buildings. It’s about rethinking the systems that determine who receives care—and who doesn’t. His project demonstrates how AI can be used not only for efficiency, but for justice. By integrating telemedicine capabilities and cultural sensitivity into hospital design, Geoffrey is creating a model that can improve outcomes in rural Kenya—and inspire change across the globe.
You can view Geoffrey’s official project on the Venice Biennale site here.
AIA East Bay's Ongoing Commitment
Geoffrey credits his early growth to the AIA East Bay 5x5x5 Mentorship Program, which gave him exposure to architectural professionals and real-world critique during his student years. We are proud to have supported his journey and will continue advocating for emerging professionals like Geoffrey, whose work exemplifies the power of architecture to create real, life-saving change.
“I carried your support with me every step of the way,” Geoffrey shared. “Thank you for believing in me.”
Welcome home, Geoffrey—and congratulations on this extraordinary achievement.
