BUILDesign Magazine Issue 021

OCT / NOV 2016

Abode of Tranquility ‐ Vipingo Club House, Kilifi 6 1 6www.buildesign.co.ke 6000 086117 >

Resilience & Drive - Arch. Patrick E. Kanyue The Ideal Website for an Architect BIG 5 Construct East Africa 2016 Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Are we headed for a Slow Down?

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t is that time of the five-year cycle when the country gets into an election frenzy. Since the advent of multi-party politics in 1992, there is usually a peculiar uncertainty around the election time that leads to a general slowdown of the economy, the worst being the contested general election in 2007 followed by a month of post-election violence which almost ground the country to a halt.

The building and construction industry contributes significantly in terms of scale and share in the economy of Kenya. Construction products provide both the public infrastructure and private physical structures for many productive activities. The industry also, directly and indirectly, employs a large number of people. It, therefore, follows that this slowdown impacts on the building and construction sector possibly more than any other sectors of the economy.

There are the cautious investors who demand a certain

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level of certainty and predictability in the market for them to sink in their funds. For them, the violent nature of our election politics and the uncertainty about the outcome makes the market risky to invest in. They, therefore, tend to withhold their funds until the election process is concluded.

Then there is another group of investors that actively participates in the election process. This group may not have any reservations about investing during the election period. They have however diverted all their resources, time and money, into the elections.

Whichever client base that you may be working with, chances are that you may experience a general reduction in business during this election period. This is not only undesirable for those of us directly involved in building and construction but also to those we employ and to the government to which we pay taxes.

The 2013 general elections saw no major disruptions even in light of the dispute that ensued and was decided by the Supreme Court. Despite the caution taken by investors, which was confirmed by the slight dip in the economic growth figures released, the trend confirmed general confidence in the available electoral dispute resolution mechanisms, a product of the new constitution that was promulgated just three years before the general election.

The upcoming 2017 general elections have a bag full of mixed feelings and uncertainties. Major changes are ongoing in the two main bodies that will be critical in the determination of the election results, the IEBC and Supreme Court. The opposition has made demands which it says if they are not met, they will boycott the elections. The government, on the other end, is juggling between stamping its authority by not bulging to opposition demands and taking cognizance of the reality of an undesirable eventuality should the opposition be completely ignored.

We can stop this cycle of uncertainty in every election by strengthening the institutions tasked to run the electoral processes. IEBC needs to be seen to be beyond reproach and its decision be respected. The Supreme Court should also inspire confidence and its decision should be seen to be fair and just even to the parties that lose.

Join the conversations on: Twitter: #BUILDesignKE Facebook: BUILDesign Magazine Instagram: @buildesign

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MAIN FEATURE

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS 10

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BUILDING REVIEW Vipingo Club House, Mombasa

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EVENT BIG 5 Construct East Africa

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FEATURED ARCHITECT Patrick E. Kanyue

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OPINION Universal Designs for developing countries

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TECHNOLOGY The Ideal Architect's website

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EDITORIAL

T

he sad & shocking news of Arch. Sardul’s passing came to us just when we were about to release this issue. We had just featured him in the previous issue of BUILDesign Magazine, a humble soft spoken man whose professional impact we’d never have known had it not been for his son, Arch. Gundip Virdi, when he approached us for a possible feature of his late father’s most recent project, the upcoming Lumen Square. It was then that we met Arch. Sardul and shortly after, we run his story. If you missed it, you can still read it on our website.

May God rest his soul in eternal peace. We pass our deepest regards to his family.

Back in July, we marked release of our 20th issue in a cocktail party where most of our partners joined us in the celebration. We reviewed our journey and reminded ourselves the very reason why we keep doing what we do at BUILDesign; it is the conscious understanding of how much needs to be known about the history, the current and the future of the architecture industry. Our mission is to ensure that, you, dear reader, and future generations, stay enlightened on trends and the holistic practice of architecture in our country and the region.

One of the things we are most passionate about is learning and sharing with you the history of the industry; the professionals who designed most of the iconic buildings we know, the administrators who formed the policies we abide to and other key things that have impacted the profession overtime. Listening to our featured architect, Arch. Patrick Kanyue tell his story, I was once again reminded of how much important information would have remained unknown had BUILDesign not taken up the responsibility to document it. He has candidly shared with us his 15 year experience in civil service at the Ministry of Works and how he founded his practice, Kanyue & Partner Architects. Find the narrative on page 20.

In the building review, we have the premier holiday address in Kilifi, the Vipingo Club House. Get to know how Architect Urko Sanchez managed to create the multifunctional facility at the center of a fully furnished 18 hole golf course adding value and character to the landscape.

The review is on page 10.

We have new contributors! Nyambura Nugi is the Creative head at Zidaka Interiors with over 10 years’ experience in the industry. She brings her wealth of

Publisher: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd Howse & McGeorge Centre Factory Street, Industrial area P.O.Box. 60540-00200, Nairobi info@architecturekenya.com Distributors: Jetsam Distribution Ltd Mai Mahiu Rd, Off Lang’ata Rd info@jetsamdistribution.com www.facebook.com/BUILDesignKE www.twitter.com/BUILDesignKE Copyright ©: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd

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knowledge on interior space in the BUILDesign content to help you discover the available interior solutions. She kicks off with the definitive roles of both the architect and the interior designer in a series she has dubbed ‘Talking Interior Space’ Irene Wanjiku on the other hand is the founder and CEO of REXE Roofing. She shares her expertise on the various aspects of roofing to help you understand what really matters when it comes to roofs.

Most of our local architects’ websites leave a lot to be desired. Our technology review columnist has offered you the essentials for the ideal architect’s website. I’ll list one; large high quality images. Always remember this, you can never have too many good images on your website.

We have more features from our team of experts on landscaping, environment, urban planning, water solutions, product reviews and events.

Hope you will enjoy the package. We also love to hear from you. Send us your comments and suggestions via info@architecturekenya.com Wendy Kinya

Publisher:

Martin Tairo tairo@architecturekenya.com

Technical Assistant:

Brian Munene brian@architecturekenya.com

Editor:

Wendy Kinya wendy@architecturekenya.com

Contributors:

Editorial: Assistant

Julie Bungei julie@architecturekenya.com

Marketing Executive:

Felister Mugambi felister@architecturekenya.com

Eric Loki Steve Ted Gome Chandresh Raithatha Samuel Kerongo Nyambura Nugi Irene Wanjiku Aleila Muyemba

Design & Layout:

Raphael Mokora dockrapho@gmail.com

Photos:

BUILDesign Team info@architecturekenya.com

Advertising:

(+254) 722 387 110 (+254) 720 650 898 (+254) 725 075 993

DISCLAIMER No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored on a retrieval system without the permission of the publisher.

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may appear or for any consequences of using the information contained herein.

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

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INNOVATION

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE Convert your Attic into a Livable Space

Usually, when we think of creating more space in a building, the first thing that comes in the mind is building more if there is space. But that has since changed as Classic Mouldings has an alternative to make and achieve that extra functional space by turning the Attic into a livable space. Known for the most artistic interior design and decorations since 1991, the firm has also ventured into roof technology providing affordable and practical solutions for more efficient buildings with the latest accessories to upgrade the roof space.

The attic is the easiest space in a house to transform into a beautiful and amazing livable space filled with daylight and fresh air for whatever purposes. From it, you have the best panoramic view of the vicinity. It can be a study room, a gym, a children’s playroom, a bedroom etc. depending on your needs. It is also arguably, the most private room in the house.

Roof windows also come with a variety of flashing to suit any type of roofing materials or shingles. Flashings are essential for the correct installation of the roof windows because it seals around to avoid any water penetration. Conversion of the Attic/ Roof space into a livable space is becoming an extremely popular concept in Kenya every day. More architects and developers desire and plan to incorporate Roof windows in the Attic spaces as part of a livable area in the house in their design. Conversion of Attics maximizes on the space and increases the resale value of the property. Nearly most house owners whose Attics spaces have been converted into livable space say, “We could never have expected such an added value to our house.”

Most houses have an attic which can be converted into a livable space. However, it is conditional that the roof must be pitched at a high angle as flat roofs are not buildable. Ideally, the roof space from the attic floor to the pitch should be at least 2.3 m high hence the sharper the angle the better.

When planning to design or re-create your attic, it is important to note that specific design features are essential for the most conducive living environment.

Among other features, roof windows are the most basic for ventilation and also because, they provide the best quality of light for the room.

Classic Mouldings roof windows from the renowned FAKRO come in different sizes depending on the client’s needs. Conditions that determine the choice of optimum roof window type include roof pitch, height of the window installation, attic wall height and the general height of the room. The major designs of FAKRO windows include the top hung, the side hung and pivot windows whose accessories such as the blinds and shutters combine functionality and appeal.

Visit Classic Mouldings at their Nairobi showroom, tell their team of professionals what you have in mind – and they’ll make it happen.

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Classic Mouldings, Kellico Complex, Mombasa Road, Nairobi – secure parking, great ideas, informed staff, professional backup.

For further information: info@classic-mouldings.com Tel; +254 721 123 123 / +254 722 387 784

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INNOVATION

www.classic-mouldings.com CREATIVE INTERIORS

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Tel: +254 721 123 123 / +254 722 387 784 Classic Mouldings Ltd @Cmouldings info@classic-mouldings.com

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

BUILDING REVIEW

Abode of Tranquility – Vipingo Club House, Kilifi

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he Coastal region of Kenya is legendarily known to be one of the best tourist destinations. Besides the great weather, contemporary Swahili architecture is yet another reason why holidays are never the same in the region. The Vipingo Club house designed by Arch. Urko Sanchez is an ideal example of such, located 20

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to 40 kilometers from Shanzu, Nyali and Bamburi beaches with a panoramic view of the coastal offshore. Sitting on a 2,500 acre piece of land on the Vipingo Ridge, the 977m2 golf development offers a touch to the contemporary Swahili architecture that is characterized by high ceilings and traditional décor that best fits the conveniences of the 21st century. The facility is a 25 km drive from the Mombasa- Malindi highway in Kilifi. It can also be accessed by

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BUILDING REVIEW

air through the Moi International Airport, Malindi Airport as well as its private airstrip.

Constructed during the furnishing stages of the golf course, the Vipingo Club House became a success following architect, Urko Sanchez’s three day benchmark in Ireland. Today, the facility is one of the most tranquil, serene and an epitome of relaxation to families and friends who gather in the restaurant and

the rooftop bar for either breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The Vipingo Club House was designed based on the client’s needs of a building that would not exceed 1000m2. In response to this requirement, the architect included a rooftop bar that enables users to enjoy the serene atmosphere that surrounds the Mombasa Island.

Project Data

www.buildesign.co.ke

Client

Vipingo Ridge Ltd.

Architects/Project Managers

Urko Sanchez Architects

Team

Ińaki Alonso, Maria Gil de Montes

Photos

Alberto Heras

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BUILDING REVIEW

Interior view of the building

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Not only does the club house sit at the center of the golf course, it is also situated at the highest point on the site, indicating a strong presence in the landscape and offering expansive views to the hilly context. The structure is arranged in an irregular composition of rectilinear volumes, providing a variety of interesting views of its surroundings from diverse angles. Large rectangular openings that form the shape of the building break the monotony of the surfaces paving way for exterior doors and windows while the interior features some arched thresholds.

The architect of this outstanding building used coral stone bricks and carved wooden doors in the interiors while the exterior was finished with lime plaster. The coral stone bricks and wooden doors is typical of the Arabian architectural design and structures, a community that inhabited the coastal region in the 18th century and thus greatly complements the locale of the building.

Environmental features in this club house include solar panels that are eco-friendly besides using the photovoltaic panels that reduce energy use. In addition, it has enough space for changing rooms, a pro shop, office bar and a kitchen that is spacious and luxurious. Other sustainable features that distinguish the building include the cross ventilation and a shady courtyard. The cross ventilation captures the breeze from the Indian Ocean and thus bringing an atmospheric getaway for tourists who visit Vipingo House Club. The shady courtyard adds some sense of tranquil to the facility.

The Club house that sits on two 18- hole golf courses is the central meeting point and hub of activity at Vipingo Ridge due to its features such as the reception area, court-

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BUILDING REVIEW

Ground Floor Plan

Elevation yard, shop, waiting area, restaurant, kitchen, offices, restrooms, changing room, waiting area, verandahs and a rooftop terrace. The scenic and tranquil environment features an iconic Moorish-inspired clubhouse and leisure facilities including Kenya’s top-ranked PGA championship golf course. The setting and amenities epitomize luxury living.

Despite lack of prior knowledge in the world of golf, Architect Sanchez managed to successfully complete the Vipingo Club House in 2009.

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ADVERTORIAL

COBRA – An African heritage with German inspiration

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ight across the sub-Sahara, tens of millions of Africans have grown up knowing the brand name COBRA. Not many people know why the very popular brand is called COBRA. Many say it was as an abbreviation of Consolidated Brass Industries, under which the name Cobra first came to full notice.

Others insist it is a concatenation of the first letters of Copper and Brass. Either way, the name fits and it has stuck powerfully in the minds of generations of people residing in Africa. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Cobra today has a legendary position in African manufacturing.

What many do not know, however, is that the inspiration behind the brand and its genesis on the continent was the result of the business acumen of another legend: Friedrich Grohe. That’s right, the man who founded in Germany the globally known sanitary fittings brand GROHE, which also is the leading single source of sanitary fittings worldwide.

But then, history is full of such remarkable coincidences.

It was way back in 1951 that Friedrich Grohe, together with Paul Schulz, established the Friedrich Grohe Taps and Mixers Manufacturing plant in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg.

However, a detachment ensued during a difficult period in the history of South Africa. But a rainbow nation was reborn in the 1990s and the world rejoiced. Gradually, an old link was revived and a reconnection was fully realized in the year 2014 when GROHE took a majority shareholding in the manufacturing subsidiaries of Dawn Group (primarily Cobra, but also Isca, Vaal, Libra, Plexicor and Apex Valves).

By then, Cobra had independently developed into a powerful South African icon. Today, Cobra is poised to

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surge forward, stronger than ever before, reinforcing its 60year heritage of quality, innovation and design excellence.

The company is a market leader in plumbing fittings but, over the last decades its product offering has naturally evolved to become more lifestyle oriented. Just as the bathrooms and kitchens of the past consistently featured Cobra products, so will the wellness-oriented living spaces of tomorrow.

This, combined with Cobra’s unwavering commitment to produce the best quality products that adhere to the highest independent standards, ensures that our products are developing global appeal. From the perspective of GROHEDAWN, the corporate umbrella under which Cobra flourishes along with the other brands, Cobra provides the perfect vehicle for the goal of “Made in Africa, by Africans, for the World”!

Additionally, Cobra is the African leader in water technology, research and development. With its commitment to quality and constant focus on global trends, Cobra has long had a reputation for bringing to market cutting-edge products based on forward-thinking designs.

From humble beginnings, Cobra now produces one of the most comprehensive ranges of plumbing and sanitary fittings in the world. Cobra products are consistently specified for local; residential and commercial projects, while its global credentials are seen in high-profile projects in more than 36 countries around the world.

The original factory in Krugersdorp still serves as the primary production facility, supported by the Cobra Springs factory. Together these plants employ more than 800 staff from local communities.

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ADVERTORIAL

Boreholes: Innovative solution to Water Scarcity in Kenya Dhaval J. Gandhi

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ater supply in Kenya is characterized by low levels of access as well as poor service quality in the form of intermittent water supply. Seasonal and regional water scarcity exacerbates the difficulty to improve water supply.

The Kenyan water sector underwent far reaching reforms through the Water Act No. 8 of 2002. With the reforms, improvements were evident. Estimates from the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation shows that 63% of Kenyans had access to ‘Improved drinking water sources’. 22% of Kenyans have access to piped water through a house or yard connection.

The above improvements are however not adequate for the sector which has been struggling. There is still a huge unmet need in rural and urban areas for water. Sinking boreholes has therefore become the natural alternative for many people, especially those in property development and construction as their projects would require substantial amounts of water during construction, and more importantly, when they are eventually occupied.

It is at that point that our company, Wotech Kenya Limited, comes in. We are an engineering Company that has expertise

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on water solutions. We have a team of highly experienced & qualified engineers who offer various services in individual, government, industrial and private sector. The time tested performance of our products & services can be witnessed at various industrial & commercial establishments.

Some of the services and products which we offer include Borehole Drilling, Borehole Equipping, Borehole Pumps and Accessories, Borehole Rehabilitation, Solar Pumping System, Water Pumps, Borehole and Pump Maintenance, Tank Towers and Water Kiosks among others.

We have a well-equipped workshop in Nairobi which is critical to our offering where we have an end to end solution from Hydro Survey, Government Formalities for Borehole Drilling to the actual drilling and equipping of the boreholes. The quality of our work is evident due to what we have managed to accomplish as a company. We are quick to respond to our customers’ needs as we have high logistical backup services, all of which are offered and affordable and competitive prices.

Our workforce is the foundation of our business and we ensure everyone has the right resources to perform their work effectively. We are committed to train our workforce to maintain and develop their skills.

The author is the Managing Director of Wotech Kenya Limited.

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ENVIRONMENT

Review of Environmental Design Strategies for Nairobi

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n order to actively promote and implement sustainable building construction in the region, it is important to understand what building green entails. Selective application of a few of the strategies will not result in a green building.

Below is an illustrated check-list of green building design strategies that should be included in any project so as to achieve sustainable or environmentally conscious buildings.

1. BUILDING ORIENTATION & SOLAR SHADING East and west facing elevations typically require deep sun-shading elements to keep out late morning and late afternoon hot sun to avoid overheating. This may call for a different façade treatment for these elevations to allow for greater shading. To give an example, east and west directly facing windows require up to 3 meters (effective length) deep overhangs for complete shading between 9.00am and 5.00pm. This can be broken down to a series of shading fins (for example: 2 no. 1500 deep and 4 no. 750mm deep).

Indigenous evergreen trees planted along the eastern and western facing elevations also help cut direct solar radiation. These however take a long time to grow.

Shading elements must however be designed to discourage bird nesting where not desirable as this can be a maintenance nightmare. Trees provide a good home for Nairobi’s diverse bird species.

‘Modern’ shading elements, e.g. perforated screen on

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Eric Loki David building facades, require to be modified to ensure adequate sun shading as well as views to the outside where required. The design must also take into consideration ease of maintenance for example cleaning, repainting, keeping birds away etc.

2. NATURAL VENTILATION Well oriented and shaded buildings in Nairobi do not require mechanical cooling systems. The air temperature is largely within the comfort zone all year round. Allowing for natural ventilation helps flush out any heat from direct solar radiation. Buildings with narrow floor layouts provide a good opportunity for natural ventilation.

Providing side openings on ‘black box’ spaces allow for good cross ventilation, avoiding unnecessary and expensive mechanical ventilation systems.

Nairobi experiences a near optimum wind flow all year round, with average speeds of 4m/s. This is perfect for cross ventilation.

3. DAY-LIGHTING Use of narrow floor layouts also allow for good daylighting. Side openings, however, provide relatively less light due to Nairobi’s intermediate – to – clear sky low luminance levels. Nairobi provides an interesting design paradox: much of the sunlight is concentrated on the zenith. This results in very bright exteriors relative to interior/covered spaces, leading to ‘darker’ spaces even when measured

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ENVIRONMENT

daylight levels are within recommended levels.

To resolve this, buildings should take advantage of the roof plane for top lighting, which work very well on low-rise buildings, allowing for better daylight penetration. Skylights should however have externally placed matte reflective louvres to keep the heat out while allowing for diffused light.

‘Black box’ spaces can also especially benefit from top-lighting, either in the form of skylights located on the roof or clerestory windows. Shutters and/or curtains can be provided to allow for space ‘black out’ when effects only possible by artificial light are desired.

4. GREEN FACADES AND ROOFS Thermal expansion has to be critically looked at to avoid leakages from the green roofs. Nairobi’s climate provides an excellent environment for a wide variety of plants. These are however most sustainable if planted on the ground and guided to cover desired surfaces. Creepers on building facades are very common in Nairobi but these are normally planted on the ground, not on building elevations.

Maintenance of roof gardens is also a problem but, if desired, can be simplified into portable planter pots (again very common in Nairobi), which are a lot easier to maintain and hence sustainable. Most indigenous trees, acacias for example, have long tap roots, making them unsustainable if planted on shallow soil on roof gardens.

5. DUST Nairobi experiences only about 3 months of rainfall in a year. This results in a lot of dust, and especially in the southern and eastern parts of the city. Thick green edges on road frontages help keep away dust generated by fast moving vehicles. Water features and grass can also help trap most of the dust.

Window/openings location and detailing must take into considerations the possibility of dust going through. Courtyard configurations allow for an in-

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ward looking building, protected from dust. The level of porosity to dusty streets must be carefully designed to ensure minimum dust.

6. NOISE CONTROL Courtyard configurations also help reduce noise levels from noisy roads and streets. Openings facing main streets must be designed to reduce levels of sound admission. Location of activities requiring a quieter environment further away from the noisy roads and streets will go a long way in ensuring aural comfort. Office spaces, for example, facing noisy streets are more likely to experience higher than the recommended noise levels.

7. PLANT MATERIAL The streets of Nairobi are well planted with a variety of indigenous plants. These are very sustainable, owing to their low water requirements. These also attract a myriad of birds, which can be both annoying (when they soil all the roofs!) and a delight.

8. GREEN ENERGY SOURCES The building’s washroom facilities, especially, can benefit a great deal from solar water heating with little operation cost.

9. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Local materials, e.g Nairobi Stone, work very well to improve building’s internal environment due to thermal mass. A variety of local stones (and associated stone crafts), can also provide a very cost effective decorative pallet as well as firmly grounding the building into the local environment by celebrating local materials and crafts. Reduction of the building’s overall carbon foot print is also another benefit.

ERIC LOKI DAVID, Architect, M.Phil (Environmental Design in Architecture) Cantab, B.Arch (Nairobi), LEED Green Associate

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EVENT

World-renowned construction show “The BIG 5” opens in Kenya

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acked by the National Construction Authority and Kenya Investment Authority, and co-located with the Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition (ACoRCE), The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 is set to bring over 200 exhibitors to the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in November.

Announced by the Kenyan Government in April 2016, Kenya’s first National Construction Week will open a brand new chapter in the development of the East African construction industry.

Today, The Big 5 is in fact the largest, most influential and renowned portfolio of construction industry events spanning the Middle East, India, South East Asia and Africa.

Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia and Africa with its network of more than 300,000 suppliers and buyers of construction products from 120 countries, The Big 5 focuses on the specific needs of the construction industries of the countries where it takes place, enjoying support from both national and international institutions. Founded in 1989, dmg events has over three decades of experience in the organization of successful exhibitions around the globe.

The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 will be no exception. Beyond being endorsed by the National Construction Authority (NCA) and Kenya Investment Authority (Ken Invest), the show is supported by local government bodies and prominent associations including the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, the Housing & Urban development, Ministry of Lands & Physical Planning, the Institute of Clerks of Works, the National Commission of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Town and Country Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK), the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), the Jomo Kenyatta University of Architecture and Technology, and the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis.

According to Daniel O. Manduku, Executive Director of the National Construction Authority, the time and resources invested in this partnership between the NCA and The Big 5 Construct East Africa will propel the Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition to greater heights, becoming the reference point in construction matters in the country.

“The event in November is expected to be the central meeting place for global manufacturers and decision-makers to network and do business in Kenya and the broader East African region.” Arch. Manduku added “NCA is glad to have on board a world renowned exhibitions partner like The Big 5 Construct East Africa, which will bring to the local industry a wealth of knowledge and experience in construction materials and technologies.”

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Ashley Roberts, Event Director at dmg events confirmed: “The Big 5 Construct East Africa was launched to be at the forefront of the spectacular growth of East African construction market. With the governmental support of the National Construction Authority and Kenya Investment Authority, the show will offer thousands of innovative products, networking opportunities, live demonstrations and an extensive educational programme. We are proud to be the only official exhibition of the National Construction Week, an initiative launched by the Kenyan government in 2016.”

The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 will feature country pavilions of construction heavyweights such as Turkey, Italy, Germany and Greece, bringing together international, never-seen-before, innovative solutions to the local industry. Aware of the opportunities offered by The Big 5 events, Dubai-based National Paints Factories will take part in The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 with its new range of decorative finishes, named Expressions. Ali Amin Ismail, Export Sales Representative at National Paints commented: “We believe that The Big 5 Construct East Africa will be the perfect gateway to explore the opportunities offered by the local market, and an excellent platform to promote our new products and services in Africa.”

Since 2010, dmg events Middle East, Asia and Africa has placed an increasing emphasis on certified education within The Big 5 shows in the form of conferences, seminars and workshops to support continued professional development among audiences. Following this successful scheme, The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 will feature the “How to trade in Kenya seminar”, a free-to-attend class where experienced professionals will speak on the do’s and don’ts of setting up and operating successfully in Kenya. Moreover, participants will be able to attend for free 15+ CPD certified workshops delivered by industry specialists, sharing cutting-edge insights based on real world experience.

Focused on promoting the long term growth and development of the Kenyan construction industry, the National Construction Week, The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 and the National Construction Authority’s ACoRCE 2016 are an unmissable event for construction professionals and serious buyers representing every facet of the industry.

To know more about The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016, visit www.TheBig5ConstructEastAfrica.com Information on the National Construction Authority’s Second Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition (ACoRCE 2016) can be found at acorce.nca.go.ke.

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10:00 - 18:00 Daily Kenyatta International Conference Centre

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Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

PROFILE

Resilience and Drive Arch. Patrick Edward Kanyue

S

Arch. Patrick Edward Kanyue 20

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

eventy years later, Architect Patrick Edward Kanyue is not the typical retired professional who is often too oblivious of the trends and dynamics in the industry. Instead, Patrick is the savvy and seasoned practitioner who is very shy about publicity but has vast experience in government administration having served in top positions in the Ministry of Works for over 15 years.

He has worked closely with the first president of Kenya, the late Jomo Kenyatta and consequently, the retired and second president of the republic, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi during his four year tenure as the acting Chief Architect. Since his days in Civil Service to date, Patrick has fearlessly stood his solid ground to condemn the corrupt system within the industry which has crippled a very sacred profession whose role should solely concern design of the spaces in which people live and not the money making scheme that it has turned to. He has neither hesitated to walk away from situations that would otherwise compromise his integrity.

Coming from a very humble background in Embu County and pushing through all odds to rise to top professional ranks in the industry, Patrick understands firsthand how challenging it is for other professionals, especially the young ones who are trying to grow their career in a saturated economy without ‘proper connections’ as was his case back in the day.

Efficient systems and industry welfare have hence become two of his very close concerns in architectural practice. “Projects from the Government and the way work is shared among professionals is unfair!” he asserts.

“Introduction of international bidding procedures on fees such as the World Bank and others have subjected the local professional to situations of legal conflict with the local Acts of Parliament specifically where fees is concerned. The Local Act of Parliament that governs the work of an Architect including remuneration is Cap 525 Laws of Kenya which prohibits bidding but permits design competition.

Design competition is not to be compared to ‘tendering’. Design Competition is a procedure recognized by the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) and permits clients to select the best designs where they have no confidence with their choice of an Architect. Bidding on fees on the other hand is akin to hawking for professional services! Competition on design is not’ and those in charge of enforcing PPOA regulations have missed the point. Kanyue clarifies right before sharing his story.

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PROFILE

GEOMAPS CENTRE, UPPER HILL – NAIROBI Diana Centre, Nyeri Education “I grew up in Mukangu Sub-location of Embu County and attended three primary schools due to the Emergency disturbances in 1954. One evening, I came home from school only to find that my parents had packed their belongings to move to Kathangari concentration camp as ordered by the Colonial Government. It is at the Camp where I attended Gituri primary school and sat for the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) qualifying me to move from Class 4 to Class 5. I joined St. Michael's boarding School, Kevote for the upper primary level from Std 5 where I also sat for the Kenya African Preliminary Examination (KAPE) in 1960." Patrick narrates.

In 1961, he was admitted to a missionary secondary school, St. Paul’s high school – Kevote in Embu for his O' levels and sat for the Cambridge School Certificate exams set by the University of Cambridge in 1964. A naturally gifted artist, Patrick wanted to pursue fine arts since it was the only artistic course he was familiar with. But that changed when he learnt of a new course called Architecture. “I was walking into the school library one day when I noticed the University of East Africa (now University of Nairobi) calendar listing the available courses in the faculty of Architecture, Design and Development. The list included architecture, fine arts and studio works.

I had an idea of what fine arts and studio works involved but Architecture was a new term to me.” Patrick remembers, “I became curious and went to the

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Geomaps Centre, Upperhill

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PROFILE

Arch. Kanyue signs a dummy of the issue 20 cover of BUILDesign Magazine during the cocktail celebration of 20 editions principal, an Italian Catholic priest, the late Fr.Geussepe Bertaina to enquire further about the course.” Although the principal did not have a clear explanation, he did mention that Architecture involved construction of buildings. He offered to make an application at the University to enquire whether Patrick would be eligible for the course.

Six months after the application, they received two letters from the University of East Africa confirming that Patrick had been selected for both Fine Arts and Architecture. At the time, he had just got a banking job as a clerk at Barclays bank. An O’ level graduate making a good salary in a banking job (precisely Kshs. 600 in 1965), Patrick had a hard time deciding whether to quit the job and join the University or not to. After two months, he resolved to quit the job and pursue his studies, joining the University in September 1965. His savings could only help raise pocket money for the first year “I had to find sponsorship to finance my education,” Patrick says. “Towards the end of 1965, a classmate in campus introduced me to the then Chief Architect, David Mutiso for a possible sponsorship.

Architect Mutiso said to me, ‘Patrick, I would like to pay your school fees only on one condition; you have to pass your final exams for first year.’ I sat for my first year exams and passed well and so I went back to Mutiso in 1966 with my results. He used to sit at Harambee House where the Ministry of Works was based. He asked me to sign a Contract of Apprenticeship such that the Ministry of Works

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would pay for my tuition fees and I would work as a Civil Servant, and from my salary, I would pay for my boarding fees and other livelihood charges.” Patrick explains.

Civil Service to Private Practice The Ministry of Works awarded Kanyue the sponsorship in the year 1965, courtesy of Arch David Mutiso. And so Kanyue worked in the Ministry of Works during all long vacations throughout his University Education until he graduated in 1971. The first year after graduating, Kanyue was attached to a building contractor, Solel Boneh International for his practical training. At Solel Boneh, Kanyue was involved in the supervision of Construction of Pumwani Highrise Housing Redevelopment (nicknamed 'California' in East leigh, Nairobi).

“I was fascinated by the 4 storey housing structures and intrigued by the firm’s organization skills; with only four foremen supervising over 40 blocks of flats, the Israeli contractor used several teams of local sub-contractors in the huge project without compromising quality. Upon completion of his practical training, Kanyue went back to the University for another two years after which he graduated with an honors degree in Bachelor of Architecture.

This was in 1971.

He then went back to the Ministry of Works where he was promoted to Assistant Architect in charge of Education Buildings. At the time, design of all Government Develop-

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PROFILE

Cylet Plaza, Embu

ment projects in all the Ministries was done by the Ministry of Works.

Three years later, Kanyue was promoted to Architect following registration by BORAQS in 1974 the following year to Superintending Architect PLAZA,andEMBU. in charge of planning all educational institutions in the Republic for the Ministry of Education. In 1979, Kanyue was further promoted to Chief Superintending Architect, one of the posts of the deputies of the Chief Architect. The Chief Architect at that time was the late Arch Joel E.D. Nyaseme who had served in the Ministry for only one year. He was the 3rd Chief Architect after Arch David Mutiso.

In 1980, Nyaseme resigned from the position of Chief Architect after which Kanyue took over as the Acting Chief Architect. He served in this position for 4 years after which he was transferred to the Ministry of Education as a Deputy Secretary in charge of planning and design of schools in 1985. Kanyue considered this a demotion and resigned in 1986 to establish his private practice, Kanyue & Partners Architects. His first client was Embu District Co-operative Union in Runyenjes leading to more cooperatives creating interest in his work including Chuka Cooperative Society, Meru North Sacco in Maua and Chogoria Boys High school among others. Other of Patrick’s prestigious projects overtime include Diana

Andrews Apartments

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

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ANDREWS APARTMENTS, PHASE 1 - NAIROBI

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PROFILE

Bima Court Centre in Nyeri, St. Nicholas School in Nairobi, Cylet Plaza in Embu, Geomaps Centre in Upperhill, Nina Apartments in Hurlingham, Solo Villas in Lavington Green, Bima Court apartments in Kileleshwa and Friend’s Court Apartments in Bellevue, South C among others.

In the recent past, Patrick has done several projects for the Ministry of Agriculture mainly IFAD funded Horticultural markets across the Counties. He is currently handling several Judiciary projects comprising of Chuka High Court, Kigumo Law Court, Engineer Law Court in Meru, Muranga and Nyandarua Counties respectively. He is also the Project Architect for KENGEN offices in Kamburu dam which is an ongoing project.

Nina Apartments

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Sustainability “I’m very passionate about sustainability. I try my best to be sensitive to the environmental impact of a building through detailing, maintenance and ventilation. I’m concerned with the functions of a space and the needs of the users and their reaction when in use. My philosophy is to do a good thing. Do it well and perfectly, and give the client the best results. GeoMaps Centre for instance, a twelve storey building which is self-ventilating. The glass is double glazed with thermal curtain wall in a round form chute that allows free flow of air in and out of the building.

This is what architects today refer to as Green Architecture.

I was taught that in the tropics, one should only introduce mechanical ventilation as an absolute necessity.

I’m therefore very sensitive to orientation. You can play around with form to avoid solar radiation by simply getting the large façades and openings facing North or South.

When it comes to maintenance, I avoid external painting of buildings as much as I can. I either use natural stone, bricks, river pebbles or mazeras slabs for cladding exterior

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PROFILE

Arch. Kanyue seated on the left with his coleagues while working at Barclays Bank in 1965 facades.” Kanyue says. He continues, “I’m very keen on detailing the exterior facades.”

Future Plans Upon retirement, Patrick plans to develop a Tourist Resort in his 4 acre land in Embu Municipality alongside his residential home. The complex will include a conference facility, cottages, a high class Hotel, a recreational center for children and other social activities with entertainment. For the firm, Kanyue & Partners, Patrick hopes to groom one of his Associates as a Successor.

“I’m also passionate about low-cost rural architecture. If I had more resources, I’d direct them to more efficient systems that involve not just housing projects but also schools and health centres for the rural areas. There is a lot of concentration in urban architecture and planning unlike in the rural areas where local communities have mostly been left on their own to resolve Architectural problems in building of schools and other community facilities.”

Personal Life Kanyue is a father of three (two sons and a daughter), a husband to one great wife; a retired nurse and a farmer of mushrooms and Rhodes Grass and who has been very supportive of his architectural endeavors.

Arch. Kanyue is also a grandfather to four. When

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Catholic Clergy house, Embu he is not practicing, Patrick spends his free time with his family. He especially enjoys playing with his grandchildren and playing guitar which is his favourite hobby. At his University hey days, he produced and sold music records and had television shows.

Parting shot “Our own associations, AAK & BORAQS need to be more serious in the welfare of its members by defending Cap 525 from getting watered down through International and Bilateral agreements with the Government. This will facilitate a better system to get young professionals trained and qualified more efficiently. The Board should stop being a government vehicle.” He concludes

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ADVERTORIAL

Crown paints expands showroom network across Kenya

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ast Africa’s leading paint manufacturer, Crown Paints, has established high-end showrooms in key strategic areas across the region as part of its plans to provide accessibility to customers with different tastes and preferences as well as to increase market share.

These showrooms are located in various parts of Nairobi namely: Likoni road, Dar es Salaam road, Karen, Lavington and Westlands. Other areas in Kenya include: Nakuru, Meru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Nyali and Mombasa. Likewise, the showrooms are also present in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as well as in Kampala, Uganda.

The Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Rao said, “Crown Paints has continuously invested in setting up ultra-modern showrooms across the East African region in an attempt to refine paint tastes and preferences for consumers. We have initiated several steps to target the ever increasing stylish, quality conscious consumers in the commercial property market to improve access and use of quality paints that promote safety and durability of structures.” Rao, further emphasized the importance of the modern outlets saying, “the outlets are meant to enhance customer recruitment while equipping developers and the general public with knowledge about paints and the variety of finishes Crown Paints has to offer.”

In recent years, consumer behaviour and tastes keep varying particularly for developers and homeowners who are demanding texture and stone finishes for their structures. Crown Paints showrooms offer these solutions by showcasing their latest premium brands in the market comprising decorative and textured finishes, automotive and protective paints, interior and exterior finishes as well as coatings and flooring products to meet demands of diversified customers. The showrooms display some of the best finishes and textures in the market such as the: Elephant Skin, Ruff N’ Tuff, Metallica, Armourcoat, Variations, Colour Creations and Glass Plaster, offering detailed information on Crown Paints entire line of paints.

At the showrooms, customers get to interact with the Crown Colour Visualizer - an application - that enables users to preview graphical images of how different surfaces or rooms are likely to look in the event that the colours are repainted. This application also allows customers to use the styles gallery on the

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home tab and preview the appearance of provided model rooms. Furthermore, it also comes with inbuilt capabilities that permit users to take photos of the rooms and surfaces requiring the change and upload them onto the app allowing customers to make informed decisions.

The expansion of the showroom network across the region is meant to assist in reaching out to as many professionals in the construction industry that are keen on high quality paint and finishes. “As part of our strategic plans to increase market share, we are working very closely with architects, builders, contractors and homeowners in all aspects of designing home and residential spaces to reflect their style and come up with solutions that improve the look of their buildings,” Rao said.

The CEO emphasized that providing customers with an avenue of making informed choices on paint and décor is a key reason in investing in the showrooms. The company believes the showrooms will assist in boosting the customers’ experience while touring the various outlets, and selecting the correct paint for their walls, floors, ceilings and furniture from the available range of paints and finishes.

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Visit & Experience East Africa's First Fashion & Design Showroom

Enhance your building aesthetics using quality products from Crown Paints. Visit any Crown Paints state-of-the-art showrooms and experience the latest innovations in decorative and textured finishes, automotive and protective paints, interior and exterior finishes as well as coatings and flooring products.

@CrownPaintsLtd

/CrownPaintsLtd

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

INTERIORS

Talking interior spaces

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hen I got a call from the BUILDesign Magazine team inviting me to be part of their team as an Interior Design contributor, I readily agreed. I had come across the BUILDesign Magazine at an exhibition and thought it had insightful content which was intellectually engaging.

I had a meeting with the team to understand the “pulse” of the magazine and listen to their expectations. The message was simple – “partner with us on our growth vision by submitting features covering interior design” I had to get an understanding of the magazine. Its audience who include architects, designers, engineers, developers and other players in construction are particular in the information they seek. What about the interior designers who must be part of the building consortium as is currently the practise?

BUILDesign Magazine has over time run features on different architectural designs and styles, reviewed a wide array of buildings and profiled architects of different thoughts, ideologies and design principles. Yet, little has

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Nyambura Nugi been covered with regards to the interior spaces which is what clients of architectural projects get to enjoy and appreciate, the floors, walls and ceilings of a space.

Here is where we have the missing link. How do you harness both architectural design and interior design works to improve efficiency, reduce wastage, save time and save the client costs?

From the historical Medieval “Dark Ages” ages to prehistory early civilisation; Byzantine & Romanesque; Baroque & Rococo; Victorian; Renaissance to modern Contemporary designs, from the art theatres, museums, churches, schools/colleges to homes, the buildings and spaces have been defined by the architectural design and interior design works therein including the elements used at the spaces; elements, style, looks, fittings, designs, ambience that have played a major role in defining habitat history geographically and culturally.

Born with the same history were artists like Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael among many others who go down in history as architects and designers of the interior spaces and are the fathers of interior spaces designs as we know it today.

When we define human habitat, the gallery is interior spaces. People live inside houses, spend time at home or

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INTERIORS

inside the office, we go inside a hospital, visit inside of a museum or concert theatre, we study inside a classroom in school / college, enjoy our meals and a mug of beer inside a restaurant/bar, the list is endless.

Architecture has and will always play a major role in buildings and an artistic architectural building changes the entire landscape and skyline of an area thus becoming the landmark or the icon. However architecture on its own cannot define human habitat.

The external design must translate internally for the building to have the “personality” and “character” it is designed to convey.

We therefore have to ask ourselves the question at what point do we appoint interior designers as part of a project team? If buildings have to convey and define their character; we are talking of a church or mosque, an art theatre, a school or college, a hospital, a private home etc., as this is how humanly the building will be defined, the response is easy – from the project inception level.

Kenya has seen, experienced and still is experiencing major building developments in all spheres of living for the last 15 years – hotels, hotel apartments, club houses, restaurants, residence gated communities, churches, colleges, schools, private homes etc. in the urban centres and rural areas.

The growth trends have been influenced largely by social and economic growth, regional and international market growth. The influx of international chain hotels, international schools and colleges, af-

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fluent gated communities , trendy churches; all these becoming more trendy and artistic than ever before is a clear indication that the architectural and interior designs landscape has thus matured and therefore demands global habitat standards.

We therefore as professionals have to listen and to obey the historical rule of building habitat structures that dictate that we must start building with the end result in mind if we intend to create relevant humanity spaces; otherwise we will render ourselves no longer valid.

The author is the Head Designer at Zidaka Interiors.

She can be reached via sales@zidakainteriors.co.ke

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LANDSCAPING

Eco-Design: Designing our future Samuel Kerongo ment, schools, and recreation are all developed in an integrated manner. This is with a view of fostering a sense of community among the residents, while decreasing the use of materials and energy for commuting and other kinds of longer-distance transportation.

In the 1970s, John Todd began to experiment with artificially constructed wetlands as treatment systems for municipal sewage. He and his team conceived of living “machines” that would replicate some of what nature accomplishes in natural wetlands. American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who began to work at the beginning of the twentieth century contributed to Eco-design through his ideas on Organic Architecture.

Eco-design seeks to provide a framework for an environmentally appropriate system of design and management. This is by incorporating both anthropogenic and ecological values, at relevant spatial and temporal scales.

In order to achieve Eco design with regard to Landscape Architecture, it is important to incorporate the following principles holistically:

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co-design may be defined as approach to design a product or space with special consideration of the environmental impacts of the product or space during its whole lifecycle. Environmental aspects which ought to be analysed for every stage of the life cycle are: consumption of resources (energy, materials, water or land area), emissions to air, water, and the ground (our earth) as being relevant for the environment and human health as well as miscellaneous (e.g. noise and vibration).

Eco-design provides a framework for uniting conventional perspectives on design and management with environmental ones. This is by incorporating the consideration of ecological concerns at relevant spatial and temporal scales. The principles of ecological design can be applied within a continuum of spatial scales, ranging from individual homes, to neighbourhoods and industrial parks, as well as to particular manufactured products.

Some of the ideas of eco-design have ancient roots, and have been expressed in various ways. One early proponents of Eco-design was Ebenezer Howard, an Englishman who in 1898 wrote about “garden cities”, which would be designed to include a “decency of surroundings” and “ample space, well-built clean healthy housing, abundant garden space, [and] preservation of natural landscape” and to be “pollution and litter free” These ideas were extended by Jane Jacobs (1961, 1969), who emerged in the 1960s as a champion of the incorporation of “neighbourhood” elements into planning. This involved urban areas in which housing; shopping, employ-

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Meet the inherent needs of humans: The key to sustainability of the human enterprise is to ensure that resources are not depleted and that damage caused to the natural world does not exceed the limits of tolerance and viability of species and natural ecosystems. A goal of eco-design is to help meet this vision of ecological sustainability, by finding ways of constructing buildings, and planning more complex enterprises, such as business and industrial parks, while reducing resource consumption and avoiding ecological damage to the degree possible.

Move towards resource sustainability: Human economy that is sustainable over the longer term must be based on the wise use of renewable resources. These resources are capable of regenerating after harvesting and can potentially be available for many generations. Eco-design strives to achieve an increasing reliance on renewable sources of energy and materials, while maintaining standards of quality of goods and services and reducing overall resource consumption, waste generation, and ecological damage through efficiencies of use, re-use, and recycling.

Maintain ecological integrity: The purpose of eco-design is to integrate human activities with the structure and dynamics of natural flows and cycles of materials, organisms, and energy. This begins with development of an understanding of the ecological context of particular design problems, and then developing solutions consistent with that circumstance. The designer needs to understand how alternative designs would affect natural values, local ecosystems and environments, including climate, topography, soil, water, flows of energy

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LANDSCAPING

and materials, biotic communities, and critical habitat of at-risk species.

Emulate natural ecosystems: Natural ecosystems are characterized by complex patterns and dynamics of biodiversity, materials, and energy, occurring at various spatial and temporal scales. These patterns reflect the long- and shortterm influences of biological evolution (including speciation and extinction), disturbance and successional regimes, environmental change (i.e., in climate), species introductions, and anthropogenic influences associated with pollution and other stressors. A central goal of eco-design is to emulate these natural ecological qualities when planning for anthropogenic activities, so that the resulting effects will be relatively “natural”. This is through design towards an integrated web of economic and ecological activities and accommodating the natural regime of ecological stressors and disturbances.

Eliminate natural debt: Eco-design seeks to comprehensively account for all of the costs and environmental implications of alternative choices of design. It considers a wide range of environmental impacts in a holistic manner, over the entire life-cycle of the project, from the extraction of natural resources, through manufacturing of components, to construction and operation, and finally deconstruction, re-use, recycling, and disposal of components. Eco-designers consider whether these comprehensive aspects of project design contribute to meeting the needs of a proposed development, as well as the possibility that there might be unfavourable environmental impacts. If the latter are identified, steps are taken to eliminate or minimize them to avoid the externalities of natural debt, so as to realize true economic profit.

Protect natural habitat: Even while earnest attempts are made to avoid ecological damage through eco-design; it is inevitable that changes will result from implementation of any project. It is important to consider whether the ecological risks should be offset by designating protected areas that are not used intensively by humans, and are intended to sustain species and natural ecosystems that are incompatible with the proposed

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project or with the human economy in general.

Increase environmental literacy: Eco-design is the work not only of experts, but of entire communities. It entails deep cooperation among designers, government, businesses and citizens. Designers must listen to the public voice in the design process, and heed advice about local conditions and special places. However, if citizens are not literate about the causes and consequences of ecological damage, some of their choices and advice may not be environmentally appropriate. It must be recognized that environmental literacy is part of the context of environmental protection, because it influences how much people are willing to “pay” for sustainable development.

The principles of ecological design can be applied within a continuum of spatial scales, ranging from individual homes, to neighbourhoods and industrial parks, as well as to particular manufactured products. Eco design principles, if applied holistically, can ensure that the places we dwell in are sustainable.

Design of open spaces in our residential scale and city scale using eco design ideas can ensure that our future generation can enjoy the same opportunities. This entails designing protected areas such as riparian reserves with a view of protecting natural habitats.

The Author is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer at Landtek Studios (Nairobi/Mombasa). He can be reached via landtekstudios@gmail.com.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Universal design applications for developing countries Aliela Muyemba

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round 10 per cent of the total world’s population live with a disability. This population experiences some form of exclusion from basic necessities such as education, employment, health care, social services as well as recreational activities. There has been progress in reducing barriers to promote inclusion in the built environment particularly in high income countries, and many of the low and middle income countries have also attempted to adopt accessibility policies. In the world’s affluent countries, implementation of accessibility standards has evolved overtime and they are well implemented through various types of disability systems. These types of disability systems tend to be beyond the reach of developing countries due to limited resources as well as the inadequate monitoring and enforcement of these policies.

Architect Ronald Mace, who had polio as a child and used a wheelchair and a ventilator, started the use of the term Universal Design (UD) and tried to define it in relation to accessible design. He made the case that UD is neither a new science nor a unique style. It only requires an

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awareness of need and a commonsense approach to making everything we design and produce usable by everyone to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It ranges from inclusive and nondiscriminatory design of products, cars, architecture, and urban environments and infrastructure, to information technology and telecommunications. It is related to accessibility which is the development of products and spaces specifically for people with disabilities and special needs.

It seeks social inclusion through design and is based on the idea of the design for the diverse.

The UD principles are; equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort and size and space for approach and use.

Universal Design takes on a different meaning depending on the economic development of a country. These principles only serve as a guideline to designing universally and the practice of design involves more than consideration for usability. Designers must therefore incorporate other considerations such as economic, engineering, cultural, gender and environmental concerns in their design process. One of the arguments against UD for developing

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SPECIAL FEATURE

countries is that it is too expensive to practice and that designers have other issues to grapple with and as a result it gains little attention in these countries.

The irony is that developing countries have the majority of the world’s neglected disabled persons so they probably need to consider the implementation of Universal Design practices much more than the developed countries.

The aim of Universal Design extends far beyond the issues of mere accessibility of buildings to caring for everyone including people with disabilities, promoting accessibility on a broader scale than the conventional approaches to accessibility. The intention is to meet the needs of people with diverse abilities that change throughout their lives. This means that a young child will be able to access and maneuver in the environment as well as a tall, healthy, able-bodied standing adult. At the other end of the spectrum, an elderly frail person who might be restricted to a wheelchair will also live comfortably in the same environment. The universal design concept does not introduce complex, out of the ordinary features into a design but it is about carefully selecting a building product or feature, placing it differently or omitting it all together in order to create environments that is accessible and can adapt to a variety of users.

Good universal design is invisible, hidden or blended into the aesthetic of the design. The clever designer can find ways to make the necessary physical elements of universal design contribute to the theme of the design rather than looking like bolted on after thoughts. UD improves the meaning of the term usability under the accessibility concept which considers wheelchair usage as the most important accessible standard to include a wide range of human dimensions depending on a variety of functions.

Universal Design acknowledges the unnecessity and inefficiency of specialized design. This emphasis on design for all rather than specialized design leads to the misconstrued approach that disregards an individual’s particular need. In theory, UD makes an intensive emphasis on the significance of a design process that will achieve value based ends such as social inclusion, equity, equitable use and equal chances of participation.

While accessible design requirements are specified by codes and standards relating to specific group of people and to some particular buildings, the universal design concept targets people of all ages, sizes and abilities and is applied to all buildings. Universal design applications in developed countries center around improving the physical environment of the people and hence these applications are affected by more than just their disabilities in their physical environment. A social, sociopolitical, economic and cultural aspect compounds their experiences in said physical environment.

These economic, social and cultural realities of developing countries such as Kenya affect Universal Design in the following ways; the pervasiveness of oppressing sociopolitical and economic realities such as poverty, population pressures, ignorance, illiteracy

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and lack of infrastructure. UD solutions in this context therefore differ largely than those in the developed world and hence these realities make implementation of universal design extremely difficult.

A major driving force in such a case would be use of local materials and resources to develop products, services and jobs that are sustainable and help the local community to develop economically and educationally. However, they utilize foreign technical assistance yet they have a surplus of unemployment, mismanaged economic resources and misused natural resources. Furthermore, the foreign technical assistance usually proves to be unsustainable and eventually unaffordable.

Universal Design offers solutions that solve more than one problem at a time therefore addressing cost effectiveness and human needs at the same time. Consultations with a variety of potential users are crucial in order to maximize usability of public facilities, as these people are the most knowledgeable about their own needs. In this process, it is helpful to educate designers, builders and citizens about the purpose and benefits of universal design for the whole community so that they understand its value and work to find good solutions to the problems.

Participation of local stakeholders is also critical for cost effective universal design because it helps identify locally available products and construction techniques as well as maintenance of facilities by local communities afterwards. When buildings are inaccessible, the human cost of having people to provide assistance would be greater. Furthermore, cost of inaccessible infrastructure would be sharply increased by eliminating economic opportunity for a number of individuals. Physical barriers reduce the economic and social output of persons with disabilities and elders, and investments in the removal and prevention of architectural and design barriers are increasingly being justified on economic grounds.

The cost of not incorporating universal design could be particularly significant for some types of countries: i.e. countries affected by conflicts or natural disasters may have a high prevalence of impairments and disability. Failing to incorporate these people into economic, social, political and cultural activities will guarantee a cycle of poverty for survivors and their families, and prevent vigorous economic and social development in the long run.

Universal design of buildings will make them easier to maintain because the buildings will have fewer stairs, wider door openings, less obstacles to circulation and more durable walking surfaces, improved lighting and elimination of hazards and in turn fewer accidents.

In conclusion, there are clear benefits for all users and controversies about cost will give way to creative problem solving and providing the best environment possible for all users.

The author is a graduate architect

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MATERIALS

The Roof Diary – Evolution of the Roof

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ost of the architects I have interacted with would not shy off from expressing their frustrations dealing with clients whose preoccupation is the roof. Not just a roof, but a complex one with a series of pitches and ridges combined with dormers and roof windows with surfaces inclined at absurd angles and finished with all manner of materials with varying colours, all as the clients fight to beat their neighbours by having the most ‘unique’ house. For them, to achieve this uniqueness and beauty, the roof is critical.

For the 15 years that I have been in the roofing industry, I have to agree that how a roof looks is important. More important however is the understanding that a roof equals protection and survival. A roof protects the things we love and care about and it offers us safety and strength if properly built and installed.

Man has utilized various natural resources, technological methods and ways of application throughout history to create the roofing we have today. From wood, mud and straw, to tiling, shingles and beyond, one thing we have always taken for granted is the necessity of a properly functioning roof for survival since the dawn of time. Roofs help protect us every day of our lives but we rarely think about them unless they stop working properly.

The earliest known roofing was the wooly skin of a giant mammoth noted in Siberia 40,000 BC. In 100 BC the Romans introduced slating and tiling and in 735 AD thatched roofs made their debut. 300 years would pass before wood shingles bowed and it wasn’t until the 12th Century when things really got moving. Right about that time, King John of England decided that thatched and reed roofs of London were to be replaced with clay tiles. This was in an attempt to reduce spreading of fires. This declaration became some sort of a ‘law’.

We have come a long way since putting wooly mammoth over our heads and the roofing industry has changed a lot in the last 200 years. The idea however remains the same today as it was then; a quality roof is safety and protection from the elements, it keeps us warm during cold weather and cool when it is hot outside.

How a roof is built is dependent upon a number of factors, key among them is the architectural concepts implemented in the building design. The building design concepts, especially with regards to the roofs, would be influenced by the purpose of the building, available roof building materials and technologies, and the local traditions of construction.

The basic shapes of a roof include flat, mono pitched, gabled, hipped, butterfly, arched and domed. There are many variations of the same types and the factors which guide the shapes of the roofs are climate of the area and

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materials available for the roof structure and finishes for the outer layer.

Currently in Kenya, roof typologies are stagnant. Most residential buildings have pitched roofs, some which could even be of organic shapes mostly due to the use of flexible materials like thatch or shingles. Pitched roofs are usually two sided sloped, mostly with a gable on both ends.

Pitched roofs are aesthetically appealing and effective in shedding water hence reducing water leakage during heavy rains. Most home owners have come to prefer a pitched roof as the crown of their home. Done correctly, it not only depicts order but beauty of the home and elegance as well.

A few variants use flat roofs, ostensibly to create usable terrace spaces at the roof level. This is also the dominant roof typology for the commercial buildings. In reality though, there is no flat roof. These roofs usually have low pitches, below 10 degrees. Climates with low levels of rainfall and high temperatures are dominated with flat roofs that provide a living space on the roof in the form of a terrace.

Majority of the roofing projects we have worked on in Kenya have a traditional joinery support structure. Construction of the structure is carried out on site with the help of sawn timber. The joints of the timber are nailed together and at times reinforced with the use of hoop iron around some of the joints. Fabrication on site is preferable as it allows for flexibility especially in cases where accuracy and consistency in measurements maybe a problem.

In the recent past, light gauge steel made a debut into the industry as a possible replacement to timber. The uptake has been on the rise with developers using it mostly as a truss structure in place of the traditional timber trusses.

Its popularity is rising due to the light weight of the steel allowing for quick construction without heavy tools and equipment.

As you ink down the sketches for your next project, or as you reconsider what you are currently building, we shall be at hand to share ideas and insights on several aspects of roofing for projects. The roof is a broad area whose surface we have just touched. In the coming issues of BUILDesign Magazine, we shall delve deeper into the various aspects of roofing and engage with you as we discuss some of these aspects in detail.

The author is a roofing specialist most commonly known as ‘The Roofing Queen’ and Managing Director of Rexe Roofing Products Ltd. She can be reached via www.roofingqueen.com

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ROOFING THE WORLD ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

Roofing and waterproofing specialists Projects done:

• The Hub Karen shopping Mall

• Mount Kenya Holiday Homes

Our Contacts: Menalik lane, Naivasha, off Kirichwa road 0786 195899 Tel: 254-20-2138191 Cell: 0704 646 664 / 0731 068 184

Eldoret, 0738 597660

Kitengela, 0733 965520

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

ADVERTORIAL

How smarter use of technology will keep Kenyan properties more secure

T

he Research Solutions Africa Survey of 2015 indicated that more than threequarters of local business owners have experienced deteriorating security over the past two years with a significant rise in terror threats, cybercrime, mobile scams and employee fraud. Ninety per cent of the respondents saw the rise in theft as a major challenge for their business. Warrior Insight, Kenya’s leading risk Management Company, has been working to address the problem by using the latest smart technology in their new innovative product, RS24 - a reliable and affordable security solution designed to counter the current challenges facing Kenyan business owners more effectively.

RS24 uses modern international security technology to detect and intercept criminals before they act. This revolutionizing security system has several new features for the Kenyan market that include 24hr smart, infra-red surveillance cameras combined with virtual trip wires and voice intervention technology that will help to solve the rising industrial and business crime rates. RS24 uses advanced video analytics software that is monitored by Warrior Insight’s own trained team of analysts in the offsite Command and Control Centre with real time audio intervention that allows the Warrior Insight team to issue verbal warnings, to intercept potential criminals as they act. RS24 therefore enables its clients to move into the 21st century with reduced dependence on outdated and ineffective security measures of the past.

With the threat of robbery and burglary increasing every year, RS24 is the critical solution that Kenya craves. This security system is used internationally to protect some of the world’s most highly targeted installations such as nuclear powers stations, embassies, military sites and commercial airports. RS24 eradicates the reliance on manual guarding as it is always on, alert and responsive. In addition, it never sleeps, and cannot take bribes. The virtual trip wires trigger an immediate alarm at the control centre, identifying criminals before they can commit their crime, as opposed to recording them in the act, and operates under published international standards (BS 7958) to provide remote monitoring and intervention capability.

Despite being the most advanced security measure in Africa today, Adam Miller - Warrior Insight CEO, says that, RS24 enables its clients to make significant savings on their security spending right from the day of installation. It largely replaces the use of manned guards, electric fences, intruder alarms and guard dogs, which have been the

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standard security measures employed throughout Nairobi for the last 20 years, and are now outmoded, unreliable and potentially corruptible. RS24 offers a complete package that is guaranteed and dependable when it comes to the security of your business.

“RS24 has been designed primarily for business owners,” says Adam, “It requires no capital expenditure to switch and in the long run is cheaper than the current security systems used in Kenya”. With the rise in crime levels as well as increasingly sophisticated criminals in operation, RS24 not only offers the best solution to modern day hazards but also saves clients’ money. In addition to that, it is staffed by international security experts who use the very latest security technology available in the world today to offer services that include security advice, a range of security technology solutions, design for security, security information services as well as environmental, health and safety advisory services.

So, how does RS24 work?

RS24 uses computer analytics software that enables it to automatically detect an individual even before they break in, and relay the video message in a second or two to the Warrior Insight command and control centre, triggering an alarm to alert a professional incident manager who will view and verify the incident before taking the necessary action. The advanced technology enables the camera to screen out movements which are not of interest such as passing cars, people walking on legitimate pathways, moving trees, and at the same time focus on events which may pose a security threat.

The RS24 security system is able to do everything you would expect of a high end CCTV system including a 30 days of recording with easy retrieval. Warrior Insight has worked hard to partner with international best of breed hardware and software providers to ensure equipment and services are of the highest possible standards. In addition, Warrior Insight provides full maintenance as part of the RS24 package so that in case of any problem, it is fixed right away. RS24 also comes with an automatic fail-safe device that will switch to an alternative connection immediately in the event of electricity outages, or internet failure to ensure maximum connectivity.

Warrior Insight is based in Kenya as a subsidiary of Warrior Security International, an experienced security firm with 10 years’ experience of serving clients across Africa; mostly in complex environments such as DRC, South Sudan, Zambia and Tanzania.

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Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

TECHNOLOGY

Websites for architects

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ver the last couple of weeks, I’ve been compiling a database of architectural projects that could possibly be featured in this magazine. I searched through the websites of various architectural firms in the country eager to see what amazing structures lay waiting for me.

My search led to me multiple websites, some really blew me away, some fell short of my expectations and others left me angry. Which led me to think, in this day and age, where we transact more money online than through bank tellers, why were most architectural firms not maximizing on this platform?

According to the law that governs architects and quantity surveyors, Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act CAP 525, and the practice notes developed by the Board of Registration for Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), professionals are somewhat hindered from using websites to display their work.

Section 45 (3) (e) of the Act states, and I quote, “In particular and not exclusively and without derogation of the powers of the Board under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this bylaw, an architect or quantity surveyor may be deemed by the Board to be guilty of unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct if he – advertise or publicly offers his services by means of circulars or otherwise or make paid announcements in the press except to publish in the press and notify his correspondents by post once of any change of address, opening of a new firm or branch office or alterations in the partnership or constitution of a firm” That’s the closest that any article comes to in addressing the issue of websites. The word ‘otherwise’ will be left to your own personal interpretation.

What would anyone searching for an architect online hope to get from their website? The moment you give out your card and ask the potential client to check out your website, are you confident that your website will impress them enough for them to call you for a meeting?

To help you out, here are the basic components that every architectural firm’s website should have.

The first section should be about you or your company.

This part of the website ought to do a proper introduction

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Brian Munene

of your firm. The people behind the firm and a brief history of it. It helps in creating trust between you and the potential client.

Another section should inform the visitor of what services you offer. For potential developers, it would be an added advantage to walk them through your process from the initial design stages to the final handover. You need to give a comprehensive detail of what you do. You also need to give a basic workflow of all the areas that you cover.

The most important section of the website should detail the projects that you have undertaken. This section is commonly referred to as the portfolio. The mistake that most firms make is the assumption that posting renders is enough for a portfolio. And therein lies the downfall of so many websites. A portfolio has to be a good balance of graphics and information.

The first part of the website is meant to create trust between the potential client and yourself. The second part, now having all the attention of your potential client, is meant to inform them of what service you can be to them.

The third section, the proverbial hook line and sinker, should have the client calling you in a matter of minutes. In this section you should showcase your previous works.

An important element of the portfolio section of a website is the photos. You can never have enough photos in your portfolio. Display as many good quality, high resolution images. It would also be an added advantage to display photos of a project from the initial stage to completion or the current status of the works.

In addition to the photos, it is important to have some additional information about a project. This information should be displayed alongside the images and should contain, among other items, name of the project, concept behind the design, scope of work you carried out in the project, caption of the photo explaining the parts displayed, project location, project size, project costs and commencement and completion dates for the works. It is important to also have a contacts page showing all your addresses, physical and postal. In addition, you may include a google maps showing the location of your office and a contact form which people can use to quickly send you an email without having to log into their email browsers.

Other sections which are important but optional include a blog where you can give insights on the industry, a CSR page that enables you to display what other projects you get involved in besides your work, links to your social media pages and a page showing some news, events and advertisements for jobs and vacancies.

Finally it would be to your advantage to invest in a proper modern website platform.

With this information you can now hopefully transform you cobweb laden website into a piece of captivating beauty.

The author is an architectural assistant and visualizer at Architecture Kenya Media Limited.

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OPINION

Urban Renewal ProgramsHousing Upgrading in Mombasa

Steve Ted Gome

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wenty-two percent of Kenyans live in cities, and the urban population is growing at a rate of 4.2 percent every year. With this level of growth, Nairobi requires at least 120,000 new housing units annually to meet the demand.

Yet, only 35,000 homes are built, leaving the housing deficit growing by 85,000 units per year. The average price for an apartment in the capital city of Nairobi is currently KES 11.58M, up from KES 5.2M in December 2000.There is no home on the formal market below KES 2M, a level that is still completely unaffordable to low income populations. As a result of this mismatched supply and demand, housing prices have increased 100 percent since 2004.this pushes lower income residents out of the formal housing market and into the slums.

The illustration above is more or less applicable for all established urban centers in Kenya. Devolution of services to counties has marginally deflated urban pressure on the capital city but transferred it to other less established urban areas as people move for new opportunities in these areas. County governments are aware that housing must be looked side by side with other planning aspects of the virgin counties. Indeed, counties cannot overlook housing, especially as cities rapidly expand and the need for housing grows.

Mombasa county government has initiated plans to redevelop its 11 housing estates through a public private partnership (PPP) short- term ventures. The project is expected to accommodate more than 10,000 people in its initial phase and touted to ensure residents of Mombasa live in decent low cost houses and also enable the county government to prudently utilize land through high rise

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buildings. Dubbed as ‘urban renewal and redevelopment of old estates, the pilot programme would see the redevelopment of Khadija estate, Miritini Greenfields, Changamwe estate, Likoni estate and Nyerere estate. The houses to be redeveloped shall be offered to members of the public to buy on long term lease basis or be rented where necessary The plan however has met simmering resistance with residents demanding for clarity on the proposed land concession and financing arrangements. The County government has made provisions for relocation during construction but affordability and even reoccupation of the completed units being in doubt. From the past experiences in housing for the poor, it is one thing to build a home for a poor family. It is another to take the steps to ensure it actually reaches the poor. Sometimes this means denying potential customers because they do not meet the target criteria, and in a competitive business environment, it takes guts to turn away interested buyers. Most attempts at urban renewal and housing improvements including the proposals by the County Government of Mombasa have missed the understanding that housing isn’t just physical infrastructure, it is also community infrastructure. A healthy and vibrant community is much more than just houses. It includes schools, clinics, places of worship, parks, and perhaps most importantly, a sense of ownership that is shared by the residents. This will determine the sustainability of the project and keep it from devolving into a slum or a ghost town.

The government programs are not enough, and Kenya needs developers who are committed to the social impact and willing to take the risks involved with catering to the low end of the market. With few mortgage owners, and ongoing economic growth, we see no prospect for a collapse in housing prices. Kenya isn’t yet oversupplied with housing. Only 8% of urban Kenyans have access to housing finance and there are currently only 22,000 active mortgages in the whole country. This is not because Kenyans lack the desire to own a home—homeownership is a central part of the culture. Instead, it is because of a nascent mortgage market that equals only 2.5 percent of GDP. Getting it right in low income housing has remained a mirage for years due to un-matching mix of investing in the supply of actual housing and affordable end-user financing The author is a practicing architect and a partner at Whintto Architects in Mombasa

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

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POOLWISE

Wellness Lifestyle with a Spa / Jacuzzi

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he most popular worldwide term for a whirlpool is a Jacuzzi. In other terms, a tub which contains hot water with temperatures of between 32 - 360 c and immersion in this tub is hydrotherapy. Life is short and a Spa / Jacuzzi lifestyle should be a priority given the means.

Historically, hydrotherapy was found in Egypt and the Middle East where the rich and royalty bathed in hot water and understood the medicinal value of water. Commercially, the Jacuzzi brothers of Italian origin who had immigrated to the US invented the Jacuzzi as we know it today starting in the 1950s and refined the idea in the 1960s to create the jetted tub. Their efforts commercialized the benefits of hydrotherapy and creation of spa/Jacuzzi.

This was from a simple desire to treat a family member of arthritis symptoms.

The spa experience was further refined in the mid seventies by the brothers Jon and Jeff Watkins into a spa that would be hot and ready for use at any time. Instead of the large heater and filling up time of jetted bath tubs, they designed a thermoplastic one piece spa shell with a tiny circulation pump and small heater. This invention revolutionized the industry and created the spa or “full” Jacuzzi.

The Watkins brothers were decades ahead of others and recognized the need for energy efficiency and created a shell which was thermoplastic, fully insulated and with lockable covers. Today, the company they founded in 1976 is the world’s leading innovator and largest manufacturer of spas having made their first million spas in 2011.

In general, hydrotherapy may be used to treat sleep disorder, headaches, depression, joint and nerve problems.

Hot water immersion combined with the massage effect of air bubbles bursting on your skin creates tremendous well being.

As always, an alert on safety aspects, hot water must be filtered and hygienic. Pre-usage bathing for users is highly recommended especially in a commercial environment.

Pregnant ladies are discouraged to use hot tubs. An immersion time only of 15-20 minutes is recommended as extended usage may cause hyper thermia or extreme temperature alleviation and which can create medicinal emergencies.

As with swimming pools, all suction fittings are supposed to be antivortex and which is a neglected issue in most spas in Kenya – this issue was addressed in a previous issue of BUILDesign. Most quality Spa / Jacuzzi have lockable covers preventing misuse and for child safety.

The hot tub experience is one of the best investments in health and wealth and a daily fifteen minute soak culminates in a spectacular life experience • Your body responds psychologically with increased body temperature and blood flow and circulation • The buoyancy of water makes you feel weightless and

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Chandresh Raithatha

relieve joints Eases stress and creates well being Prompts quality time for yourself alone or together with family or friends. Phones generally are left aside and direct communication established • The massage experience relieves pain and creates warmth in the joints and muscles • Direct health values include increased mobility and strength in patients with osteoporosis or arthritis • Key to the above is the hot water temperature and quality of the massage experience Available forms of hydrotherapy are: 1. Jetted Bathtubs – Basic 2. Concrete Whirlpools / addition to pools • •

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POOLWISE

3. Proper Spa /Jacuzzi for example : www.hotspring. com Most middle and upper class residents have a Jacuzzi or jetted bathtub. This is a most neglected and unused feature popularized by marketing trends. To fill a bathtub usually takes up to half an hour. There after you immerse yourself in a bathroom. Given the cost and size restrictions and the placement of the bath tub inside bathrooms, countless surveys deem the jetted bathtub as not required. The jetted bathtub may be used initially, but the cumbersome manner in which the water has to be filled and the basic massage effect leads to a rarely utilized feature. Beyond the above, the pipes and jets become a breeding area for infectious bacteria. Rarely are these pipes sanitized. A jetted or luxurious shower may be utilized better today!

Concrete spas or additional jets inside a swimming pool look lovely, but rarely meet the qualities of a popularly designed Spa / Jacuzzi tub. Concrete spas involve installation of special hydrotherapy jets together with air controls or air venturies and or air blowers. An additional filter unit together with optional sanitizer (chlorinator or ozonater) and heater are required. Usually, this is a tedious and expensive exercise if done to the required standards and the hydrotherapy effect diluted in comparison with a quality readymade spa / Jacuzzi from the makers of Jacuzzi or the world’s top most manufacturers, Hotspring Spas. For pools, the jets are rarely used unless the pool is heated, generally

basic and even then not up to the Spa / Jacuzzi required massage effect.

The ideal option for hydrotherapy is a professionally manufactured Spa / Jacuzzi with unmatched massage experience and a professional sanitization system providing crystal clear spa water. In the past fifty years, spas have developed in a parallel manner to the automobile industry and almost to the same levels of sophistication. Spa / Jacuzzis from quality manufacturers provide an unrivalled hydrotherapy experience. This starts with appropriate hot water temperature to clean and hygienic water to different strength and types of jets.

A quality Spa /Jacuzzi lifestyle is one of the wellness lifestyle investments you should make at the earliest. By making a Spa / Jacuzzi part of your everyday routine life will be more pleasant and relaxing. Invest in a quality spa from established manufacturers for a lifelong return on wellness.

The author is the Operations Director of Waterways Africa and has been in the swimming pool and leisure Industry since 1991. He can be reached via email on waterways@kenyaweb. com or telephone +254-722-511-438 or +254-733-511-438 or +254-737-511-438 or +254-738-511-438 Direct line 0706511438 (Sms only)

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016

GROHE EURODISC JOY

The New Eurodisc Joy faucet line from GROHE combines modern operating comfort with award-wining design Form and function at their best - a dynamically curved, slanted silhouette a filigree joystick with smooth action, a sleek edge running along the spout - that’s all it takes to reinterpret a well-known classic

bathroom. The most important design feature of this faucet is its minimalist, infinitely adjustable joystick. Its superior ergonomics, combined with the innovative GROHE SilkMove® cartridge technology allows precise fingertip control of the water mix. At the same time the integrated GROHE EcoJoy® water-saving technology promotes

faucet. If you are looking for ground breaking design, don’t look any further than the Eurodisc Joy faucet line from GROHE. Combining visual lightness with easy operation, the Eurodisc Joy is clearly a cut

responsible and sustainable consumption of water and energy. The wall-mounted wash basin faucets additional feature the adjustable GROHE AquaGuide mousseur. Moreover, the SpeedClean technology

above the rest with clever details and architectural clarity.

The new Eurodisc Joy brings great looks and pure pleasure to the

ensures reliable functionality as well as a long life.

Buildesign Magazine І Issue 021/2016