DMJ Architect's 55 years shaping Africa

DMJ Architects, is one of the best known architectural firms in Nairobi. The firm was founded in 1965 by Robert Marshall and Freddy Wilkinson. It was known as Dalgliesh Marshall + Associates.

Although it is a relatively small studio, it has executed some landmark projects not only in Kenya but also elsewhere on the African continent including Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Botswana, Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, Namibia and Ghana. Today, as it looks back over the last 55 years, the firm is proud of its impact on the built environment in East and Central Africa.

Currently, DMJ Architects has three principal architects who are supported by a team of experienced architects and technicians as well as administration staff. The three principals are Simon Johnson, Willi Atkins and Kavit Mediratta. The size of the staff means that they operate well as a team, with everyone getting involved. The firm offers services ranging from urban 9 West Building, Westlands, Nairobi

design/master planning to the detailing of office fit-outs. It designs and administer contracts for its clients.

“We have always considered that we listen to our clients and seek to give them solutions based on their requirements”, says Simon Johnson, who joined the firm in 1979 and became a partner the following year. Simon is a chartered RIBA Architect with a diploma from the Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford

Eden Square Office Complex, Nairobi

Brookes). He also is a registered architect with ARB and BORAQS and a member of the AAK.

As stated, DMJ’s projects are dotted all over East and Central Africa. Robert Marshall, one of the firm’s founders, was part of the Arthur D Little tourism study for Ethiopia selecting and preparing sketch designs for lodges across the country.

“We established an office, Dalgliesh Lindsay Group, in Botswana and have always had a good relationship with our associate office, MD Consultancy, in Tanzania”, reveals Simon.

Some of the projects executed by DMJ Architects in the region include Lobo Lodge in the Serengeti; International Life House and Bruce House in Nairobi; the ILRI Campus at Kabete and the Benedictine Priory on Thika Road.

More recently, the firm has done Eden Square on Chiromo Road, Nairobi and the Oyster Bay Hotel complex in Dar es Salaam. Others include 9 West in Westlands and the Galleria Residential and Office Complex on Lang’ata Road. “We have just completed eight town houses in Muthaiga for Muthaiga Associates”, adds Simon.

“Of late, we have continued to work on industrial, commercial and residential projects. Kenya is still developing which means providing better facilities to complete on the world stage.”

So what projects do they consider their most outstanding? “It is difficult to pick out particular projects as ‘the best’”, reckons Simon. “They have all been enjoyable in their own way. Indian Ocean Beach Club (now Jacaranda) at Diani was particularly pleasurable. This we did with Mruttu Salman & Associates.”

“We hope that DMJ will continue to thrive in Kenya – and the region - during the next 10years”, concludes Simon. Oyster Bay Hotel, Dar es Salaam