BUILDesign Magazine Issue 020

JULY / AUG 2016

Neo-Rustic Architecture Karen Lansdowne Centre BUILDesign Magazine Celebrates the 20th Edition The Reward of Determination - Architect Sardul Singh SECPROTEC and Totally Concrete East Africa 2016

6 166000 086117 >

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

www.buildesign.co.ke

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

JAQUAR WRITE-UP

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

EDITORIAL

Publisher’s Note

T

he 20th Edition of the BUILDesign Magazine means a lot to us. That is why we chose to celebrate this milestone. It is a journey that started with the publication of an architecture students’ magazine at the University of Nairobi called ‘Into Architecture’ nine years ago and later, the BUILDesign Magazine which has grown to the publication it is today.

This feat could only be achieved with the support of a dedicated team of editors, writers, photographers, graphic designers and printers. This, coupled with the commitment of our advertisers, has seen us churn out, without fail, nineteen issues of the BUILDesign Magazine over the past three years since our launch.

Over the years, we have interviewed numerous architects who have shared with us intimate details about their lives, their struggles and journeys in and out of the profession. We spoke to them about their projects and directions they took as they implemented them. We questioned and challenged their ideas as we sought to understand their thinking. Most have also shared their tips and opinions with us. All these, we have packaged in copious articles which we have shared with our readers in every edition we release.

We would like to pass our gratitude to each and every individual or organization that has played a part in the success of the publication. We could not mention you all by name, but we truly appreciate your input in the success of this publication.

Moving forward, we have boosted our team and made some changes aimed at further improving our content and offering.

Wendy Kinya, who has been the editorial assistant of BUILDesign Magazine since its inception, has taken over the reigns as the magazine editor. She is bringing on board new contributors and introducing some new sections in the publication which are aimed at making it more incisive, informative and above all, interesting.

We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us and stick with us through this journey as we seek to change how information on architecture and construction is relayed to all those who seek to learn from it.

Please feel free to get in touch with us via email on info@ architecturekenya.com if you have any opinions and suggestions on how we can make the publication better for you.

Arch. Martin Tairo Maseghe

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As we celebrate release of our 20th edition, we would like to thank all our partners

Clasico Builders (K) Ltd.

We are proud to be associated with Inaya Group Limited

Forest Road,Nairobi

P.O. Box 38637 - 00623, Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel.+254-722-791314 E-mail: info@clasico.co.ke

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morphosis

The hottest name in the Power Generation Sector

ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANAGEMENT

architecture+interiors

GSPublisherEngine 0.0.100.100

Electrowatts Limited is an Electrical Energy Service Provider incorporated in 1985 as a private limited company. It is a wholly Kenyan owned Enterprise with a branch network in Kampala Uganda and Juba in Southern Sudan.

Company profile

cleaner, healthier and safer environment.

Electrowatts is licenced by the Ministry of Energy under ‘’ Class A’’ and National Construction Authority for Electrical Installation and power generation.

Our success and growth over the years can be attributed to a highly professional team of managers, support staff and technicians motivated by a desire to provide reliable customer service in house and in the field. We operate on the basis of sound management principles and techniques.

Electrowatts Limited is a certified ISO 9001 company and was recently awarded Certificate of Achievement for being one of the Top 100 – Mid- Sized companys’ for the year 2009/2010.

Location Our offices are conveniently located on Butere Road in Industrial Area with a facility space exceeding 7000 square meters of office, workshop and storage space.

Corporate Goals Our corporate mission is to be a premier provider of goods and services to cater for Electrical Energy needs and services.

In an effort to look at all questions posed by our customers power needs, we offer solutions based upon provision or reliable and efficient Energy Solutions.

Our staff are motivated individually, who act like the owners, working together.

We always endeavour to exceed our customers’ expectations by always being the first to be in the market with best products, partnering with our clients to make sure we are successful demanding that everything we do will lead to a POLE ERECTION TRUCKS

POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION

POWER LINE DESIGN

SOLAR CENTRES

HOLE DRILLING MACHINES

SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM

TRANSFORMER INSTALLATIONS

SOLAR FARM PLANTS

Corporate Mission • We carry out supplies, deliveries and installation of power generations both for prime and standby operations from 5Kva – 3000Kva • We provide technical support which include system designs, engineering techniques including automation and synchronization.

• We undertake complete overhaul, servicing and repairs of complete generators, motor • assemblies, electrical wiring and rewinding of motors.

NEW PORTFOLIO In an effort to address all the questions posed by our customers power needs and to offer solutions based upon provision of reliable and efficient energy solutions, Electrowatts Limited has introduced new power products. These include Solar Energy Systems, Hybrid power systems, Wind Energy and Hot Water Systems.

Our new portfolio of products and services reflects the various needs confronting the East African Power consumers. Many people living in developing countries lack access to Electricity from the National Grid. Solar Power is therefore probably the most economical power source available to these rural folks. From Heating and Pumping, Lighting to Refrigeration, Solar power can be and is a viable option.

ENERGY CONSERVATION SYSTEM ( EASI) Electrowatts Limited was appointed in 2002 to represent the interest of an American Company ‘Energy Automation Systems Inc. In Kenya and East Africa in general. This company has been in the business of selling Energy Conservation Systems Consultancy services on General Power Audits and Energy Efficiency Management to thousands of customers throughout the world. The greatest appeal of this product is that every business that pays an electric bill is a potential customer.

The approach to Electrical Energy Efficiency is quite simple, these technologies save electricity and money by making your equipment more efficient and reducing waste which is already there. It is an entirely passive approach that does not involve changing the

Construction East Africa April 2014

1

Fibre Synthesis Arts and Landscape Waterfalls, Fountains and Fibre Glass General Gardening

A

n establishment that is artistic in nature and our main purpose of being and especially in the construction industry is “recreating nature beautifully”.

We in Fisyalag Enterprises are specialists in fiberglass works, products and fabrications. We are the leading artists of this kind of work in the region. Ours is about quality and durability not to forget beatification as the part of finishing services we offer on buildings; schools, residential homes, high profile offices, hotels, recreation amenities (for wedding gardens) e.t.c.

We are proud to be associated with AAKI Consultants and Dimensions Architects and Interior Designers. We specifically give our special thanks to Kariuki Muraya and Charity Stromsmo.

We are very much grateful and appreciate all that has been put in implementation to define Enashipai Resort and Spa. Our heartfelt thanks and congrats goes to the entire directorship of the Enashipai Resort and Spa for keeping a huge team of consultants, professionals and specialists very very busy for close to half a decade today.

Reception feature

We really congratulate the entire fraternity of China Zhongzing – the amazing main contractor.

In Enashipai, we were privileged to showcase several of our services and we sincerely congratulate the designers and Enashipai at large.

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 16

22 16

BUILDING REVIEW Karen Lansdowne Centre

22

FEATURED ARCHITECT Sardul Singh

32

LANDSCAPING Re-examining childrens' playground

36

ENVIRONMENT Busting the Myths about Sustainable Design

38

ARCHITRAVEL Lubumbashi City - Congo

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32

EDITORIAL

A

lready? These are the words that come to my mind as I reflect on the last three years that I have been with BUILDesign Magazine. You can never say that you have fully understood architecture. You can only learn as you grow. New buildings are coming up every day and technology is always evolving. It’s a state of constant influx.

Every single building has its personal story. Oh! And each speaks its own language, I’m yet to get the logic of these words. So every day, I learn something new. Content management for public consumption in a highly technical industry as is architecture is a bitter sweet task. It is exciting and equally challenging but overall very rewarding. Before the various emotions are fully settled, two months are over and a new issue has been released and today, we celebrate release of our 20th issue!!

To this day, content remains king in BUILDesign Magazine.

We strive to create quality over quantity overcoming the allure of surface elements in the many features presented to us. This issue sports 48 pages of carefully selected content including a thrilling recollection of where BUILDesign really began. The contagious passion that BUILDesign publisher, Architect Martin Tairo exhibits is almost tangible in the story and very present in his work to this day. Find the narrative in our main feature on page10.

Our team met with Aleem Manji Architects to learn what inspired the vintage look in the very modern setup of the Karen Lansdowne Centre. In our building review, find out how modern architecture gave in to the neo rustic temptation to achieve the rare balance in this design.

In our architect profile, we unveil the brains behind the first LEED pre-certified building in Nairobi. Despite the meticulous portfolio under his sleeve, Architect Sardul Singh enjoys a low key lifestyle. Get to know him better somewhere between the pages.

We have more features on product reviews, opinions on industry trends, travel insights for the tourist architect among others. Hope that you will find this copy inspirational and educative and we look forward to having you around as we release the next 20 issues and more.

Enjoy your read!

Wendy Kinya

Publisher: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd Howse & McGeorge Centre 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/BUILDesignKE Copyright ©: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd

Publisher:

Martin Tairo tairo@architecturekenya.com

Editor:

Wendy Kinya wendy@architecturekenya.com

Marketing Executive:

Felister Mugambi felister@architecturekenya.com

Technical Assistant:

Brian Munene brian@architecturekenya.com

Design & Layout:

Raphael Mokora dockrapho@gmail.com

Photos:

Gundip Virdi gundip@atelier.co.ke

Contributors:Ben Malasi Stephen Lutta Eric Loki Eric Loki Samuel Kerongo SteveChandresh Ted Gome Raithatha Charles BobNewman Ochieng Brian Munene 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.

Aleem Manji Architects aleem@ama-kenya.com

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

7

CREATIVE

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Invite the Light Inside

Natural light has the unique ability to transform interiors into vibrant spaces that are enticing, WARM AND BRIGHT.

The benefits of natural illumination of the building are unquestionable, every room should provide a source of natural light for a dweller to feel comfortable. There’re so many inspiring ways to add to your home and countless ingenious ideas of how to change your interiors, it’s no wonder that so many of us are choosing to renovate our current space.

Lighting is vital in your home, and although you can add artificial fixtures, nothing quite compares to the open space and bright, natural light that roof windows can give.You can transform the look and feel of your room with the introduction of Roof Windows which will give you up to 40% more lighting during the day.

Roof windows, give you the opportunity to bring in daylight through a flat or sloped roof. They’re ideal for loft areas, corridors and rooms with vaulted sloping ceilings.

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MAIN FEATURE

BUILDesign Celebrates release of the 20th Edition

T

he journey towards the founding of BUILDesign Magazine started way back in 2007 when its founder, Arch. Martin Tairo, then a fourth year student of architecture at the University of Nairobi and Secretary General of Architecture Students Association, published the first ever, and to date the only architecture students’ magazine, named ‘Into Architecture’.

Publishing the magazine was a tall order, especially for a student of architecture as it required numerous meetings with prospective sponsors. These had to happen during working hours, which was incidentally the same time full time students are supposed to be in class. Additionally, putting together the content was a demanding task that required serious coordination and follow-ups. Somehow, it happened.

Despite being a project of the association, it died with

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

Martin’s exit at the end of his tenure. The officials who came in thereafter simply did not have the time to pull off the project. Martin was himself deeply engaged with his final years of study and couldn’t offer any assistance. However, he still harbored the idea of the magazine in his mind.

It was during his final year at the university that the idea was revived. Martin encountered a lot of challenges as he carried out research for his final year project. There was simply no recorded information on local architects and architecture that was available. It was therefore easier to conduct research on projects based in other, mostly developed, countries yet it would have been better studying local case studies which were more relevant to the project at hand. For this, he had to carry out his research and studies from scratch, which was a daunting task keeping in mind the limited time that students had to conclude on their projects.

On graduation, Martin set up a blog where he could post

MAIN FEATURE

'Into Architecture' magazine cover information on architects and architecture in Kenya for record and discussion. The blog was registered on the free blogging platform, WordPress, and was aptly named ‘Architecture Kenya’ as the intention was to publish information on architecture in Kenya, starting with what he had collected during his research thesis. He had also started working with a leading architectural practice, Triad Architects, and while there, he had access to a lot of projects by the firm.

The blog gained popularity and received heavy traffic. Readers engaged each other in discussions on the various issues raised. Soon, Martin was receiving enquiries from companies that intended to reach his blog audience on whether there was an avenue through which they could partner.

An opportunity to publish a print version of the blog presented itself, and Martin took off with it. It was at the end of 2012 when Martin quit his position at Triad Architects to start off his own practice and also publish the magazine full time. He named the magazine BUILDesign, a combination of the words ‘Build’ and ‘Design’. Martin brought on board Wendy Kinya as his editorial assistant. She has been integral in the development of the publication to the level where it currently is and is now its editor.

Over time, the BUILDesign Magazine has curved

Editorial piece by Martin in the Into Architecture magazine its niche and become the voice of architecture in Kenya. The magazine, which is published every two months, sits at the heart of the debate about Kenyan architecture and form opinions across the whole construction industry on design related matters.

The magazine serves up inside stories on architects, buildings, architectural firms and a host of opinions on architecture in Kenya. Working with partners who provide solutions for the construction industry, it also publishes information on technology and trends in the industry in addition to new products and solutions.

Content The main feature of the publication is its profiles of personalities in the industry and review of buildings by different architects. This is boosted by topical features on various aspects of the built environment in addition to opinions and technical write-ups on different products and services for the industry.

The team has aggressively pursued architects to share their own personal stories and those of their projects and has had the pleasure of interviewing veteran architects like David Mutiso, Jim Archer, James Kimathi, Diana Lee Smith, Sardul Singh and Mohammed Ali Bashir among others. Some of the buildings

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

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MAIN FEATURE

JULY / AUG 2016

Neo-Rustic Architecture Karen Lansdowne Centre BUILDesign Magazine Celebrates the 20th Edition The Reward of Determination - Architect Sardul Singh SECPROTEC and Totally Concrete East Africa 2016

6 166000 086117 > www.buildesign.co.ke

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

MAIN FEATURE

Key Contributors reviewed include the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Parliament Buildings, Kenya National Theatre and more recent projects like the Boma Hotel, African Heritage House, Enashipai Resorts & Spa and the Strathmore Business School among many others.

The information will be more than just reference for academic or case study purposes. It is the recording of history. In the days to come, the architectural history of Kenya will have been clearly and factually documented. It will not get lost.

Partners The publication could not be what it is today without the input of its key partners who include its regular contributors, firms that provide information on projects and of course the advertisers who help pay the bills.

Key contributors for the magazine include Arch.

Eric Loki, a Cambridge trained environmental design expert who writes incisive articles on environmental design picking up relevant local case studies to illustrate his ideas.

Steve Ted Gome, an architect based in Mombasa, has written widely on issues on housing and urbanization. His short articles are usually heavy with intellectual content testing ideas and concepts borrowing lessons from ideal cases both locally and abroad.

Lutta Stephen, a graduate architect, is a travel enthusiast who shares ideas on where to travel to in the world and what to expect to see, especially if you are an architecture enthusiast. He has looked at cities in Europe, America and has even given insights on places and buildings of interest for an architect who visits the war torn Somalia.

Chandresh has been dealing with water solutions for many decades. He writes on technical aspects of water, specifically touching on swimming pools. His column has been dubbed ‘pool wise’ and is a must read for everyone in the industry.

Samuel is the most recent entrant into the team of contributors for BUILDesign magazine and he writes on soft matters of landscape and landscaping.

His articles give the basic principles which all players involved in construction projects need to grasp even as they consult a specialist landscape architect for their projects.

The above and many other contributors have been integral in the content that is contained in the BUILDesign Magazine.

Notable advertising partners who have been with the publication since its inception include Crown Paints Kenya Limited and Grohe. These two have seen the publication through all its stages and have chosen to stick by it as they have believed in its idea, the content it carries and the audience it serves.

As it grows, the magazine continues to be a source of information that understands the interests and practice of its audience. It will continue to give them what they want to know in brief and with a point of view. It will give useful and insightful information, readable criticism, diverse voices and open dialogue.

Steve Ted Gome

Stephen Lutta

Chandresh Raithatha

Eric Loki David

Samuel Kerongo

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

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EVENT

Will Readymix Concrete Technology Transform Construction In East Africa?

T

raditional construction methods in East Africa have historically employed the use of premix concrete in which a mason conducts onsite mixing of sand, cement, aggregate and water for casting of concrete at a construction site. However, in the wake of the recent building audit ordained by The Office of President Uhuru Kenyatta, change is now being proposed in the local construction industry, challenging traditional building methods with new technologies and materials such as readymix concrete. The building audit being conducted throughout Nairobi City County as well as other key counties in the country has uncovered at least 250 houses with structural defects out of over 2600 audited so far.

Research conducted during the building audit established that weak concrete mixes and sub-standard building materials were leading contributors to building collapse in the region. In an effort to boost the sustainability and durability of structures in the local built environment, the government of Kenya has drafted a law that seeks to obligate builders to use readymix concrete instead of conventional site mixed concrete. The draft law by the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development requires builders of houses with more than 3 floors to strictly use readymix concrete supplied by readymix manufacturers to ensure quality and structural integrity. In response to this proposed legislation, Totally Construction East Africa, the region’s leading show for alternative construction technologies and building materials, is hosting one of South Africa’s top readymix experts, Johan van Wyk, General Manager of the Southern Africa Readymix Association, during its exclusive conference and exhibition held from 4 to 5 October 2016 at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

The Southern Africa Readymix Association (SARMA) is responsible for promoting the readymix industry and establishing readymix as the preferred construction material in the Southern Africa region. The association holds expertise in setting the standard and guidelines with regard to environmental, safety and quality issues in the manufacturing and use of readymix concrete.

Johan van Wyk’s participation at Totally Construction East Africa this year will be a pivotal to the evolution of readymix in East Africa as he shares his experience and expertise on critical operational aspects of readymix such as how to order and receive quality readymix concrete, best practices for affordable concrete housing construction, critical issues for materials testing and more. “SARMA is looking forward to bringing its expertise to East Africa,” offers Johan van Wyk of the Southern Africa Readymix Association. Johan van Wyk features amidst a line-up of over 35 internationally renowned industry speakers who will headline at the event.

Sponsored by Kumkang Kind and Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc. and endorsed by Kenya Vision 2030, the Kenya Property Developers Association and more than 30 other partners, Totally Construction East Africa is the only readymix concrete conference and exhibition serving the East African region. As rising urbanisation levels drive up demand for infrastructure and service delivery in the region, Totally Construction East Africa is the best gateway in 2016 to access the region’s multi-million dollar construction industry, to discover emerging alternative construction technologies and building materials and to find out how to complete more projects on budget and on time in the local built environment.

x st mi ! ea y ce g ad en in re er ur st nf at 1 co f e a ’s t e ic e fr cr a on c

eaSt afriCa’S onLY exPo ShoWCaSinG aLternatiVe ConStrUCtion & bUiLdinG teChnoLoGieS

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dr. ephraim Senbetta, Director, American Concrete Institute, Ethiopia

Wolfram Schmidt, Researcher, Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und-prufung (BAM), Germany

Prof. Gituro Wainaina, Director Social and Political Pillars, Kenya Vision 2030, Kenya

Johan van Wyk, General Manager, Southern Africa Readymix Association, South Africa

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Presents

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Digital Construction East Africa

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1

BUILDING REVIEW

Neo Rustic Architecture Lansdowne Centre, Karen

A

leem Manji Architects were posed with an interesting deviation from the firm’s typical style of design largely inspired by principles of modern architecture when they received a commission for the architectural design and interior fit out of the Lands down Centre. The client wanted a

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

neo rustic shopping Centre in the old Karen Provisional Store neighborhood. The building was to evenly blend with the Karen environs and predominant features were to be neither modern nor traditional.

The defining points of consideration in this design were twofold, over and above the usual design considerations of usability and functionality as well as location and sustainability all combined together to create a charming small

BUILDING REVIEW

Section

Project Team Client

Karen Landmark Developers

Architect

Aleem Manji Architects

Main Contructor

Ark Construction Ltd

Structural Engineer

Integrated YMR Partnership

Structural & Civil Engineers

Engplan Consulting Engineers & ARUP

Services Engineer

Metrocom Consultants

Quantity Surveyor

Towercost Services

Front view semi modern shopping precinct that blends in with its environs.

The shopping Centre is located in the heart of Karen, one of the more culturally steeped locations in Nairobi. Principally rustic in nature with an emphasis on the use of stone and timber which gives it a feel of a by-gone era. The architect chose to import several qualities of the neo-colonial style of archi-

tecture while at the same time giving the design an updated look. This was achieved by careful selection of material palette: using blue-gum pole walkways with exposed soffits in most of the spaces coupled with mazeras stone tiling as opposed to porcelain tiling. Externally, the architect chose coral stone cladding coupled with timber boarding and touches of mazeras to contrast with the textured render. The cen-

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

17

BUILDING REVIEW

Floor plan

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

tral atrium space was the principal organizing space hence a small atrium garden was created open three storeys to the roof. This allows an outdoor experience from within.

In terms of sustainability, the architect chose to create an enabling environment for natural air circulation to minimize the need for artificial cooling during hot seasons. It was also needful to maximize on natural lighting given the tight site (quarter acre) boxed in by two and three storey developments on either side. Both of these were achieved in principle by using the central atrium space. The space is open through to the top and is only covered fairly high by the restaurant roof at the roof terrace level. This allows in a fair amount of reflected natural lighting to the central axis of the building, while at the same time creating a modified stack effect to let out warm air at the top. The front and back of the Centre were kept intentionally open to allow for the inflow of air necessitated by the pressure difference created with the upward flow of warm air.

Additionally, the rooftop was partly converted to a roof garden with grass covering to minimize the heat

BUILDING REVIEW

gain at the roof top level. This also served the purpose of creating a garden outdoor seating area for the restaurant. Elements of rustic architecture have been incorporated in the exposed aisles that allow the user a very relaxing outdoor experience from within.

The structure is built of steel and concrete. Coral stones, timber and mazeras cladding has been used on the finishes. The roof structure is done using timber.

The project itself is fairly unique; consisting of boutique shopping units on three levels with two basement parking structures and a rooftop restaurant/lounge area, all accommodated on a quarter acre. Given a very open brief, the architect managed to reinvent traditional architecture in this design and satisfy the brief requirements in terms of appearance, material usage, color palette, sensitivity to the environment and comfortable habitation of the building.

The biggest variation for the entire project was excavation through the rock discovered only one meter underneath the ground. Excavation period was thus prolonged to achieve a depth of five meters that the client required for construction of two basements. As a result, more time was consumed and extra cost was incurred. The project which was supposed to take a year took 15 months to complete.

Interior views showing some of the rustic features

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

JUMBOPHONIC – Sound Diffuser Sound diffuser combines the benefits of Acoustic dispersion and absorption in order to enhance room acoustics. Its applicable mostly in smaller rooms where absorption of mid and higher frequencies is intended to be minimal. Its irregular surface ensures dispersion of sound waves upon hitting its surface.

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

PROFILE

Co insurance plaza

Reward of Determination - Architect Sardul Singh

B

orn in India in 1947, the youngest of five brothers and one sister, Architect Sardul Singh grew up in a village in Punjab India during the days when there was no electricity or running water in the village. “Primary and secondary schools were about 3km away, I walked bare feet in temperatures of about 40 to 45o in summer and 0 in winter. We learned while sitting on the dust,” he narrates.

From primary school, he joined government high school for a Pre Engineering course at a college in Jalandhar Punjab and Bachelor of Architecture at Chandigarh College of Architecture, graduating in 1971.

After graduating, Sardul worked in a public government

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department of Architecture in Punjab, India for about 2½ years before coming to Kenya in 1973 in search of better prospects. “My first experience in Kenya was great. People were very friendly and helpful and since then there has been no looking back,” he notes.

In his first four years in Kenya, Sardul worked for Waweru & Associates before starting his own practice in 1978. “At Waweru & Associates, I was given free hand and exposure in executing the projects which gave me lot of confidence. Under the guidance of Mr. James Waweru, I designed and supervised several projects including Civil Servants Housing at Race course Nairobi, Telephone Exchange in Nairobi and Malindi, District Library at Nyeri and Kakamega. The experience at Waweru& Associates was key factor in setting up my own practice.

PROFILE

Artistic impression of the upcoming Lumen Square “I started Atelier International Architects in 1978 and since then we have done over 500 projects, small and large, low rise and high rise, that cut across all genres, from houses to apartment and office buildings to very large government projects. Our notable projects are Research Complex for Trypanosomiasis in Muguga, Moi Teacher’s Complex, Headquarters for the Department of Weights and Measures and the upcoming Lumen Square among many others. Sustainable design and socially conscious architecture is the current global trend. This is extremely important today and we take it very serious in all our projects. Social consciousness and sustainable design go hand in hand. By sourcing local materials you support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint. Lumen square is the 1st pre-certified LEED office building in Kenya.”

Architect Sardul’s works are mainly inspired by the history of architecture and nature. “One of my favorite project is among my very first projects; the Development Complex for Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute.

(KETRI). The project was very large including laboratories, offices, maintenance workshops, conference hall and

Thigiri ridge

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PROFILE

(Above & below) KETRI Muguga conference

housing for junior staff. The conference hall is a unique building and a land mark at KETRI and in Kenya.

Currently, Architect Sardul is partially practicing as he shapes into a consultant for the firm which his son Arch. Gunpid is taking up. “My son, Gundip Virdi who has an M.Arch in Architecture recently joined the firm after studying and working in Canada for a number of years. He brings valuable International experience to the firm. One of our current projects, a 6 storey office building in Parklands is the 1st pre-certified LEED office building in Kenya, which is very exciting for us.” Sardul notes.

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Total dedication and honesty are among the key values that have informed Sardul’s practice over the last three decades. His advice to other architects especially the younger generation is to simple “Don’t take too much time on numerous sketches for a project. Choose the best one and carry on. This is so because you should not worry about perfection, you will never achieve it. My advice to students is first and foremost to have a healthy body and mind, set up goal and aggressively achieve it. Do not give up! Develop qualities of Confidence, Courage, Common Sense and Sense of Humour. Do your best and don’t think

PROFILE

about the reward, it will come.�

A family man, Arch. Sardul is married with three children (son-daughter-son).

His wife is a graduate in vocal music, the elder son a M. Arch from Mc Gill University, Canada, the daughter a graphic designer graduate from UK and lastborn son a Mechatronic Engineer from University of Cape Town, South Africa. He loves travelling, reading and playing golf.

Muthaiga house

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INDUSTRY

To dive or not to?

R

ecently I visited an extremely wealthy family in Eldoret, and when the head of the family was asked, why they’ve never consider a swimming pool for the family, the reply was that the residential pools are unnecessary. Naturally having survived well in the pool industry, we beg to differ.

Residential swimming pools are great additions to a house.

They provide a social gathering point which offers an excellent opportunity for all family members to learn and enjoy swimming. They are also aesthetically lovely and prestigious and add value to the property. Additionally, swimming both for recreation and sport has unmatched health benefits.

Residential swimming pools are an investment which allows all family members to learn how to swim and comes with the associated health benefits. In Kenya, We have a past vice president who swims daily and looks half his age. We have many luminaries for whom life starts with a daily dive.

For children, swimming pools are a huge social bonus with friends visiting and a natural healthy party excuse. Beyond the above, children with residential pools invarably learn not only how to swim but to swim very well for the long-term.

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Chandresh Raithatha

The aspects of swimming well translate into having a healthy no impact exercise option in old age. For our disabled family, swimming may be the only exercise possible.

Swimming pools are simply lovely to look at whether blue or green or any other colour. The water reflection is simply stunning and when lit at night, creates an amazing addition to any home. Most luxury homes are considered incomplete without a swimming pool.

Sizing, finishes and budget are personal choices based on utility costing, but a swimming pool creates the additional glitz and glamour required for a fine home.

Let me address the comment that residential pools are not required, absolutely unnecessary and a waste of money!

Usually pools are built in a home either for aesthetics or utility.

The aesthetic aspect of a pool lasts the lifetime of a pool. More importantly, a family pool is highly utilised when there is a family using the pool and ideally, when there is a young family or is a family of swimmers.

Children swim in any weather and utilize the pool the most. Parents need to make the time given work and social commitments. Mostly when children leave the family nest, the pool becomes less utilized. The key issue is that the pool is there for the lifecycle duration, whether it is a learning support

INDUSTRY

and or a social partner for the family.

Therefore, the second cycle is when the pool is fully utilised is when it is used by extended family or the second generation family members.

Now when is the pool not utilised? When there are no swimmers or most importantly, when the pool water is extremely cold. Swimming is a personal choice and generally a healthy option whether in favourable or cold weather.

With the current technology of heat pumps and solar options, much more cost effective options are there to maintain reasonably warm swimming. On the Kenyan coast, an overwhelming 50% to 60% own family homes have their own swimming pools and 70-80% of communal compounds have swimming pools. Weather is key for utilization of the pool but adverse weather can be overcome effectively today.

Our advice to potential swimming pool clients is to consider all aspects of a swimming pool prior to building one. These start from the long-term usage issues to utilizing a quality builder to ensure a trouble free life of enjoyment.

After all, a residential pool costing has reduced in comparison to property/land value and the utility costing similar to a very used SUV and unlike the SUV, a pool will provide a lifetime of enjoyment and pleasant memories for all families!

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 +252-733-511-438 0r +254-737-511-438 or 254-738- 511438 Direct line line 0706-511438 (Sms only).

TECHNOLOGY

Architectural Visualization - Lumion

W

e are happy to introduce a new segment to you; a technology review section where we will be looking at technological advancements across the design and construction field. For our first piece, we are reviewing Lumion, one of the most innovative software for architectural visualization.

Architectural Visualization is the process and methods by which any designer effectively communicates their idea to a client through images. It takes the client beyond a 2D plan or sketch and lets them actually see how the finished structure would look. Visualization gives the client a complete feel of the project. The end product is what is commonly referred to as renders. In the 20th century, this was done using hand drawn perspectives or paintings. Scaled down models were also built.

Then came the advent of the 21st century and computers took over. Software platforms let the designer take the actual model and produce a 2D image of the structure or landscape.

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Brian Munene

These softwares reduced the workload but some are still painstakingly complex to use. This has pushed most design firms into outsourcing their visualization tasks at a high cost.

For those that choose to do it, huge investments are required for both hardware, software and time in order to get good output.

One software that stands out to me in terms of reasonable hardware requirements and ease of use is Lumion.

I have had sleepless nights just rendering a few images. I have had to wait for more than a week to get a few minutes ‘fly through’. I have had to repeatedly refer to tutorial documentation and videos in order to know which boxes to check just to get proper lighting. All these issues seemed settled when I tried my hands on Lumion.

A product of a Dutch company, Act-3D B.V - Lumion takes the client and designer right into the project and gives a virtual feel of the project.

My first encounter with Lumion took me less than 30 minutes to understand the basics of the software. The interface is simple to master with no numerous dialogue boxes and check

TECHNOLOGY

boxes with dozens of settings that must be in place before you get a reasonably good output.

Its rendering speed is also commendable. I have never had to leave my machine rendering an image or a ‘fly through’ overnight. In fact, it takes less than 30 seconds to render a high quality 1280 by 720 pixel image. A batch of 10 images usually renders in less than 5 minutes, something that would take about 1 hour using other software. Whereas it could have taken me several days to render a fly through, in Lumion, I can produce a 2 minute movie in just about three hours.

Its lighting and landscape modelling features are also easy to master and use. Creation of lakes, rivers, mountains, ranges of hills, craters, plains, etc has been simplified by its earth modelling tool.

Lumion also has in app image editing capabilities which meant that I did not have to export my images to a different software to edit them.

Another feature that makes use of Lumion enjoyable is the ability to make changes in your building model and update the Lumion model without undoing anything that you might have worked on in Lumion.

You can easily go back to your building model, change a window or swing and update the Lumion model.

Lumion does not have modelling capabilities. The silver lining to this predicament, however, is that it works seamlessly with a host of other design software such as Trimble Sketchup, Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad, Bentely Microstation, Nemetscheck Allplan, Nemetscheck Vector Works, Rhinoceros and 3D Studio Max among many others. All these softwares have a plug-in that allows cross work between themselves and Lumion. You can easily move your model from the building platform to the one rendering.

The required hardware specifications for Lumion are high. These are however reasonable if compared to a host of other visualization applications. If you have a graphics card smaller than 2GB, please avoid Lumion.

You›ll end up with ‹The Blue screen of death› immediately you try to run it. The basic specifications for running Lumion are: A graphics card with a minimum 2000 pass mark with minimum 2GB memory. You can rate your graphics card at lumion3d.com.

A screen resolution of minimum 1600x1080 pixels.

A system memory of 8GB with as high a MHz value as possible.

20GB of Hard disk space.

The 2GB graphics card will only allow you to produce very simple images. For higher resolution images you need an 8000 pass mark card.

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

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CROWN PAINTS INTRODUCES ECO-FRIENDLY ZERO VOC PAINTS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR A GREEN ENVIRONMENT Crown Paints’ technological innovation has moved a notch higher with the introduction of ecofriendly zero VOC paints as a market response to the increased use of green and sustainable construction materials. Many developers in the region are now following the global trend of constructing buildings using materials that have the least impact on the environment.

The rm is a leading premium paint brand for decades making it the rst choice for homeowners, architects, painters and other professionals in the field. The brand has the widest dealer network including semi-urban and rural areas with a large network of showrooms countrywide, showcasing textured paint and premium nishes.

The NSE-listed paint manufacturer has been producing low VOC paint ranges for some time but after years of intensive research, it is now the rst company in the region to go a step further and manufacture and offer zero VOC paints in the market.

According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Rao, opting for zero VOC paints will help create more environmentally friendly and healthier interior and exterior spaces after paint work.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are solids and liquids found in

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ordinary paints that convert easily to gas or vapour at room temperature which, when exposed to the environment and humans, can have harmful effects.

The Crown Paints zero VOC paints contain special colourants sourced from Lorama, Canada which qualify the zero VOC requirements as per the highest global standard, which is ASTM D6886 (ASTM – American Standards & Testing Methods).

The nished product ranges are tested in an accredited analytical laboratory, TUV Singapore, for zero VOC contents as per the British Standard (BS) method - BS EN ISO 11890-2:2006.

These paints have a non-threatening environmental impact due to negligible volatile chemical presence and are also ideal for people who are particularly sensitive to paint fumes. They have no toxic emissions and are a value addition to the product range with no price increase.

The CEO also highlighted that the demand for architectural paint is growing rapidly due to the robust construction industry worldwide.

Globally, many government agencies are now enforcing zero VOC paint production and Crown Paints is pioneering the process in the region.

ADVANTAGES i.

Same great quality paint that comes in many beautiful colour shades, whilst adding value by producing no toxic emissions and thus, making them safe for you and the environment.

ii. They are odorless and have less impact on air quality which makes them perfect for homes, schools and hospitals. iii. Products that fall under the zero VOC range will not have any additional costs.

Products that will be offered in the zero VOC range of paints include: •

Crown Silk Vinyl Zero VOC emulsion

•

Crown Luxury Matt Zero VOC emulsion

•

Crown Permaplast Zero VOC exterior paint

•

Crown Teon™ Matt Zero VOC emulsion

•

Crown Teflon™ Permacote Exterior Matt Zero VOC emulsion

Live in an environment where you can paint and breathe freely with ZERO worries, with the range of Crown zero VOC paints that are as safe as nature and still have the same great paint quality!

ZERO WORRIES

The newest range of Crown water-based paints* are made using the latest eco-friendly technology and contain no Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C), making them safer for the environment and safe for you.

@CrownPaintsLtd

/CrownPaintsLtd Based on Method BS EN ISO 11890 - 2:2006 - 5 grams/Litre

LANDSCAPING

A Re-examination of Children Outdoor Playgrounds

By Samuel Kerongo

R

esearch shows that children who are active outdoors are less prone to obesity than their counterparts that spend hours inside in front of their TVs and computers. We live in a society whereby health and wellness is becoming an integral part of surrounding. In our local context, if you take a walk around neighbourhoods you are likely to find a gym for adults and a playground for children. In most cases, the gym will be equipped with the necessary facilities but the playgrounds leave a lot to be desired.

In most cases playgrounds are public spaces within a neighbourhood or city and thus the reason they are neglected or in some cases not designed properly. It is upon Landscape architects, architects and designers to focus on playgrounds as public spaces for children to explore and experiment.

Playgrounds are not just places to go, they’re now increasingly places to learn, experience, and engage. The approach to playgrounds is undergoing a massive shift towards more adventurous and eccentric public space.

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Studies show our grandparents roamed around an area of roughly 6 miles when they were growing up. For our children that area is often reduced to the front yard or driveway and in some cases the living rooms and balconies. This is manifested in the housing apartments mushrooming in our neighbourhoods. It is rare to find a neighbourhood in Nairobi with a designated playground for children. Due to economic forces, the high land value in our urban areas, developers aim to maximum land utilisation. There is however a need to optimally utilise the land to ensure we create quality spaces which are livable, efficient and sustainable.

According to Missy Benson, a play advocate at Playworld, a recreational facilities company, recent studies suggest children 10 to 16 spend only 12.6 minutes per day engaged in some form of physical activity, and compared to children in the ‘70s, today’s kids spend 50 percent less time in unstructured outdoor activities. This has led to obesity and other medical complications. All this can be prevented if spaces were properly designed to attract children to interact and play in.

Being able to play independently in our society has been

LANDSCAPING

reduced over the years. “With schools focused on testing, there’s less time for creative, engaging play. With the increase in screen time and the decrease in attention spans, there’s huge parental support to get kids outside and dirty and in the mix. When you talk about playgrounds, we went through this period where prefabricated play equipment became more manufactured, and a lot less creative.”

There is a need to re-examine the design of playgrounds to encourage and lure children to utilise them.

Most of our playgrounds lack facilities and the few that have entail plug-and-play, standard playgrounds, with the same slides and swings. There’s a lot more that can be done, and it’s not just designer’s responsibility. They’re often responding to a brief from the client.”

Playground design that physically activates children and challenges them with risky play elements can attract children outdoors and thus improve their health and well-being.

There has been an attempt to re-examine children play ground design in our local context. Garden City Mall opened a water park for children to boost leisure activities at the integrated property. The water park is located within Garden City’s central park which features a children’s playground. “The central park and children’s playground proved to be very popular with mothers and children of all ages.

It is important to incorporate children playgrounds in the design of our neighbourhoods and public space due to fundamental role they play in ensuring the health and wellbeing of children. Well-designed playgrounds not only provide fun and entertainment, but that they also provide important opportunities for chil-

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LANDSCAPING

dren to learn and foster new skills. At playgrounds, children tackle new challenges, using their problem-solving abilities to assess the risks and rewards and utilizing perseverance and determination to master new skills.

Playgrounds also provide an arena for children to socialize with their peers, building interpersonal skills such as sharing and collaborating. In addition, playgrounds provide exciting learning opportunities that build a child’s self-confidence and let their creativity flourish. Outdoor play allows children to explore and interact with their world, all while getting muchneeded fresh air and physical activity.

It is therefore imperative to provide and design children playgrounds within our neighbourhoods and public spaces in the urban realm. These playgrounds have to be designed to be creative to encourage children to interact outdoors. This

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can be achieved through design of a variety of out the box playscapes.

There is a need to move away from the standard playgrounds and introduce playscapes that challenges children with risky play elements can attract children outdoors. This is with a view of luring children outdoors to engage in physical activities as opposed to spending most of their time watching TVs and playing computer games. This will go a long way in ensuring the children in our society are healthy and thus preventing medical complications.

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

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ENVIRONMENT

Busting the Myths about Sustainable Design

Just how difficult is it to maintain green walls? Does this constitute sustainability?

Sustainable processes don’t have to be dirty and smelly. Traditional processes always provide the most sustainable solutions.

S

ustainable design (also referred to as environmental design, ‘green’ design, environmentally conscious design, etc.) is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability. This is the definition that google gives me when I search the term. Seemingly straight forward, Sustainable design is however largely misunderstood just like other terms like ‘modern design’ and even more so because its philosophy is not about aesthetics. Here are myths about Sustainable design that are increasingly hindering its success: Sustainability is a new Design style, Language: Even though greater consciousness about the need to design environmentally responsible buildings may have been triggered by the realization of our planets vulnerability due to resource depletion, most if not all sustainable design approaches have always been attributes of good design.

Orienting buildings to avoid unnecessary solar heat gains, take advantage of the best views, allow natural ventilation and lighting, cannot be considered new design strategies because these are largely what has always constituted good architecture over the ages.

Utilization of resources in a responsible manner goes back to the principles of utility, economy and delight that have always defined good design in architecture. In the famous

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By Eric Loki

treatise on architecture, the ten books on Architecture, written by the Roman architect and military engineer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio and dedicated to his patron, the emperor Caesar Augustus, as a guide for building projects fisrt published in 1486, key sustainable design philosophies are laid out: ‘if our designs for private houses are to be correct, one goes, we must at the outset take note of the countries and climate in which they are built. One style of house seems appropriate to build in Egypt, another in Spain, a different kind in Pontus, one still different in Rome, and so on with lands and countries of other characteristics. This is because one part of the earth is directly under the sun’s curse, another is far away from it, while another lies mid-way between these two.

Hence the position of the Heaven with regard to a tract on the earth leads naturally to different characteristics, owing to the inclination of the circle of the zodiac and the course of the sun, it is obvious that design for houses ought similarly to conform to the nature of the country and to diversities of climate’.

Sustainable design only means ‘green’: Being mindful of the environment, which I imagine is the correct meaning of ‘green’ is key to sustainable design.

Economic and socio-cultural considerations are however just as important.

A number of approaches fail because while addressing matters environment, are either culturally unacceptable or simply unaffordable. In Kenya, for example, human waste has always been taken out and buried away from habited spaces,

ENVIRONMENT

for a long time in pit latrines. To argue that we all now need to use our own shit as fuel or manure will always face strong resistance because such approaches are simply not sustainable in our culture.

Sustainability is costly: By virtue of its definition, sustainability cannot be unaffordable whether in the medium term or in the long term.

Long term savings have to be factored in however, to off-set the initial investment. Take solar power harvesting in Kenya for example: Solar panels for water heating are now fairly affordable and their initial cost is easily recovered within a relatively short time, while Photo-voltaic panels (PV) initial investment is significantly higher especially when battery storage is included, and recovery of this initial cost is not easy because the payback period for the initial cost roughly coincides with the life of the batteries. Whereas both strategies are good for the environment, solar water heating is sustainable economically while the use of PVs require is not. Each strategy has to be considered in context for overall sustainability assessment.

Plants planted on the ground provide the most sustainable solution because they benefit from ground water without any restrictions to root growth.

One sustainable design strategy can get you sorted: Often we see new buildings labeled sustainable where only one or a few strategies have been adopted without considering the development as a whole. Irresponsible use of glass, for example, renders a building unsustainable due to excessive solar heat gains even though other strategies like rain-water collection and recycling may have been extensively incorporated.

Overall sustainability of a building project must always be considered to ensure environmental, economic as well as socio-cultural sustainability: FUNCTION, ECONOMY, and DELIGHT. Sustainable design means planting trees on top and/or on the sides of buildings: I am a great advocate for inclusion of plant material in our designs. The laws of nature however dictate when planting trees etc. can be sustainable. Geotropism (effect of gravity on plant material), phototropism (effect of gravity on plant material), wind speeds, plant material type, soil types drainage, etc. all MUST be taken into consideration. A lot of plant material used in our buildings is not sustainable, with plants failing to grow well and many projects turning into maintenance nightmare.

Trees planted on the ground are without any doubt the most sustainable. Those planted on roof tops and on building elevations simply don’t last.

‘You tube’ sustainability ideas are just as excellent for Kenya: With the internet acting as the key reference portal for nearly all architects in Kenya, not all so called ‘green’ ideas are applicable in Kenya. Building with used vehicle tires, water bottle walls, sandbags, mud, etc., all have a place but architects have to be very careful with these ideas which negate the character of our existing built environment.

Novelty MUST always take cognizance of the existing built forms and can only be sustainable if it responsibly questions

and/or develops the current ways of living. Abandoning everything we have for some ‘brilliant’ idea on you-tube is not the answer.

Ugly buildings can be sustainable: DELIGHT is a key part of sustainability in architecture.

All buildings MUST provide beautiful spaces that enlighten the occupants spirit and make every moment spend in the delightful. Architecture is environmental design.

A building with depressing spaces, forms and textures, is not sustainable, no matter how many PV panels hang on its roof. Integration of ‘green’ components to advance the overall beauty of the whole is a key aspect in the journey towards sustainable design.

Sustainable design is boring: The way sustainable design is presented, as a new discipline completely with new rules almost separate if not different from those that govern the overall design of a building, alienate many players in the building industry. Often I listen to my students and colleagues telling me (of their projects) of how the have ‘completed the building design and are now working on sustainability issues’!.

Chopping the building design process into bits and pieces is not sustainable. The advancement of technology meant that we could achieve more with less effort. This is however not the case which current buildings exhibiting serious disconnects between structure, form, building skin and interiors.

The singular nature of the thought process that leads to good design demands a more integrated process, with the captain of the ship having an idea of most if not all the processes.

Sustainability has to be a smelly and dirty affair: When a friend of mine took me to their site in Kibera, where they are busy utilizing human waste to grow cabbages I the name of sustainability left me wondering where the world is headed to. Sustainable design is not about degrading human virtues and reducing ourselves to below ‘animal’ character.

The question of whether the approaches we take are the only ones available to our disposal is key to sustainability.

Rearing chicken, cows, goats etc. and using the resulting waste as manure is popular and culturally acceptable in Kenya. Cabbages grown with manure from these farm animals also tend to be very good actually!

The important thing to know is that keeping our pride, our culture, hygiene etc. is a critical part of the brief towards achieving sustainable design. The product should never be smelly and dirty, … that is not delightful.

Eric Loki David, Architect M.phil Environmental Design in Architecture (Cambridge), Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) Nairobi, LEED

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ARCHITRAVEL

Rewritting the colonial past of Congo - Lubumbashi City

L

ubumbashi or Lishi’bum as it is colloquially known, is a hub of activity. It is the mining Hub of the Democratic republic of Congo. Acting as a hub for many of the country’s biggest mining companies, the copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Katanga Province, lying near the border with Zambia. It also serves as the de facto headquarter of the Kongo peoples whose culture and encounters with early Europeans has come to shape much of central Africa and Angola.

Many people in Africa know Lubumbashi as the home of the FC TP MAZEMBE, one of the most successful sub Saharan Football clubs, owned and run by mining Elites of Katanga. It is rumored many players here refuse call-ups to play abroad as they earn as much as they would in Europe or even more.

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By Stephen Luta

History The Belgian government established the modern-day government in the city of Élisabethville in 1910, named in honour of their queen Elisabeth. The City centre was a white only region, and the city flourished mainly because of the Copper mining business. This saw many French, British, Italian as well as Jewish settlers come in seeking the fortunes of the mines. Élisabethville served as the capital and centre of the secessionist independent state of Katanga during the 1960–1963 Congolese civil war. Moise Tshombe proclaimed Katangan independence in July 1960. He got arrested and charged him treason in April 1961.He was however released as he was popular, but he agreed to dismiss his foreign advisers and military forces in exchange for his release.

Ultimately In 1963, Mobutu Sese Seko assumed power of the Congo, which he renamed Zaïre. He renamed Élisabethville as “Lubumbashi” in 1966 and, in 1972 renamed Katanga

ARCHITRAVEL

Hotel Bellevue Province as “Shaba.”, which is copper in Swahili.

Civil War In May 1990, the university campus of Lubumbashi was the scene of a brutal killing among students by Mobutu’s security forces.

Congo entered a genocidal civil war in the late 1990s.

The Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo rebels captured Lubumbashi in April 1997. Rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila spoke from Lubumbashi to declare himself president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 17 May 1997 after Mobutu Sese Seko fled Kinshasa.

When Kabila eventually took power in the DRC, he decided to install the Parliament in Lubumbashi, in order to consolidate the fragile unity of the country. The parliament was installed in the building of the National Assembly of secessionist Katanga State (the former city theatre). Lubumbashi was therefore the Legislative capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1999 to 2003, when all the country’s central institutions were brought back to Kinshasa.

Downtown Lubumbashi

Stability After this period, a relatively stable government has been able to run the country and many incidents of poaching and crime have decreased as the govern-

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ARCHITRAVEL

New Architecture Lishibum

Palace De Justice, built in 1920 ment slowly restores order and a system of governance in place. Lubumbashi, being far from Kinshasa has enjoyed a relatively stable environment even in the face of the civil wars and mutual interest in the mining fortunes has seen the place continue to flourish.

It is served by Lubumbashi International Airport with Korongo Airlines and Kenya Airways having regular flights into and out of the City. Its proximity to the Zambian Border means that most residents of the City speak French and Swahili in equal measure. The lingua franca remains Swahili.

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The Cathedral of Lubumbashi Sights of Lubumbashi Lubumbashi has been deep asleep. Tension and foregoings of war seem to have conspired to stagnate the architectonic development of the City. New Exciting projects have been planned for ages, but war seems to always keep the investments at bay. At least until now.

The major attractions in Lubumbashi include the old European and Belgian district housing as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter & St. Paul and a few commercial buildings long past their glory days.

The DRC is due for elections this year. The incumbent is

ARCHITRAVEL

Former Parliament and theatre in Lubu barred from running again by the constitution, and the very popular Chairman of F.C. TP Mazembe, yes, that one, is the forerunner in the elections by more than 40% popularity. If he were to accede to power, then the fortunes of this powerful mining region would be an exciting prospect. A lot of Kenyan businesses are already making it big in Lishi’bum. Construction professionals are streaming in by the minute, prospecting in the mines, albeit for a commission or three.

Proposed Batiment Complex in Lubu

The writer is a graduate architect and a travel enthusiast at Africana Travel. info@africanatravel.co.ke

Old Belgian Quarter Housing

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EVENT

about the Show

powered by

celebrating itS 4th edition SecProTec east africa po-

haS come to eaSt aFrica! The new cooperati-

wered by Intersec is the most important trade fair for the

on between SecProTec east africa and Intersec, the famous

security, safety and protection industry in the entire east and

brand of world`s leading organizer Messe Frankfurt, has

Central african region. Leading suppliers will be meeting

a huge impact on the east african security and protection

buyers from minimum 17 different countries at this key in-

technology market. In addition, the sectors of media relati-

dustry event providing a vibrant showcase of contemporary

on, global agency network and international marketing are

equipment and latest technology. More than just a trade fair,

generating new prospects for faster growth of east africa‘s

the event also includes matchmakings, seminars, round ta-

leading Security Show.

ble discussions and lectures!

renowned as the world’s largest and most international

SecProTec east africa powered by Intersec gives you a full

trade and networking exhibition for the Security and Safe-

360° view on the east and Central african security mar-

ty industries, Intersec in Dubai (17-19 Jan, 2016) offers a

ket and is a must-to-visit event for industry professionals

unique spectrum of products from the fields of Commer-

throughout the region. It is the only trade fair with ministe-

cial Security, Information Security, Fire & rescue, Safety &

rial support and in partnership with Kenya Security Industry

Health, Homeland Security and Policing.

association (KSIa).

For some exhibitors in the field of Police and Homeland Security SecProTec 2015 was a first international appearance in the developing and promising market of East Africa. We have seen that there is a strong demand for the respective equipment and will therefore expand the efforts to stimulate more companies to present their special products at SecProTec 2016 under the umbrella of our GPEC-CCExpo-Pavilion. For our topics and target groups SecProTec East Africa is the first and only business hub for the whole region.

Mr. Uwe H. weHrSTeDT, orGaNIzer oF GPeC aND CCexPo aND THe GPeC-CCexPo-PavILIoN aT SeCProTeC

Secprotec 2015 Feedback 2%

v i S i t o r S how do

7%

you rate the product range of exhibits?

44%

51%

e x h i b i t o r S how do 25% 33%

you rate to meet your existing clients?

excellent

51%

excellent

25%

Good

44%

Good

42%

Fair

7%

Fair

33%

Poor

2%

Poor

0%

42%

E a s t a n d C E n t r a l a f r i C a‘ s l E a d i n g t r a d E fa i r f o r s E C u r i t y , P r o t E C t i o n a n d t E C h n o lo g y

securing East africa‘s future

15 – 17 September 2016 KICC, NaIrobI, KeNya

OPINION

Kenya’s Real Estate Sector is no Bubble. It won’t Burst

T

here have been numerous reports by different media houses and opinions from different quotas on an imminent bubble burst in the Kenyan real estate sector. A bubble burst in Kenya is not anywhere near. My attempt here is to bring my audience to an understanding of what a real estate burst is or was, and explore what are the real eminent dangers, perhaps, ‘about to happen in the Kenya real estate market.’

First, a direct analogy. When a bubble is “full of air” it bursts when there is a slight point of weakness like a prick from a pin. The key words here is fullness, the point of weakness and the total collapse. We shall come back to this later.

The American real estate bubble was similar to an air bubble because there were so many people who had taken mortgages on homes, most of which they could not afford.

Banks had gone crazy on lending, they were on a rampage, giving people mortgages and credit cards, left and right, credit cards worth more than their annual income combined. This

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By Bob Ochieng

was reckless irresponsibility combined with delusion to say the least.

When the debt was due, the borrowers were unable to keep their obligation and this happened on a very large scale, nationally, continentally, very massive, ‘the fullness of the bubble.’ Default was the prick of pin that burst the bubble.

This is not a similar scenario in Kenya because there is no bubble to burst in the first place. This article is going to negate some the claims that have been made about the bubble.

What has happened in Kenya, instead, is an entry of people, from all walks of life, into the development business.

People from diverse backgrounds, driven by greed, and not the moral responsibility for providing shelter to a fellow human being, and mostly with very little knowledge or understanding of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), let alone business.

I must say that it is quite pathetic and shameful that most Kenyans have been disenfranchised and disconnected in the demand and supply dynamics of housing. People need housing, they don’t know how the housing industry works and

OPINION

they are many, and the demand is great. People of all walks of life, taught by experiences of life, from doctors, teachers, bankers, lawyers, and high school leavers have seen the opportunity in housing. But their reaction has skewed and distorted the market, such that the regulating bodies or authorities like BORASQ, ERB, AAK, NCA and County Councils, among others, are merely playing catchup, a response too late.

Affordable housing in Kenya come in the form tenement housing, bedsitters, roommate house sharing, slums or commuter suburban residency. The ethos of development in Kenya is to make as much many as possible, wherever and anywhere possible.

That is why you see 7 to 5 story bedsitter walk up buildings, without elevators and which have inadequacies in issues such as water and air supply, ventilation and lighting, lack of emergency exits, no building signage and total lack of aesthetics.

Buildings are never painted or plastered on the exterior, and have confusing exits and entrances location points, lack landscaping features among other shortfalls. This is a phenomenon that Kenyan architects have come to call KAYOLE ARCHITECTURE. Where semblance of order or decency seem to exist, developers have made a killing by pricing their projects from as little as 12 million onwards for a four bedroom house. If this is not insanity then I don’t what to call it.

But certainly, it is not a real estate burst. What therefore is about to happen in Kenya is not a burst but probably

a housing development freeze, and it is not going to be felt by everybody in the country, as it was in the USA, but rather, by developers themselves, as they shall not be able to meet their end of the bargain if default happens.

This lacks the ‘fullness’ in our analogy of the burst earlier, and therefore, a total collapse of the economic system in the country is not possible. Defaults are probably inevitable in these hard economic times as salaries have never been in a hurry to meet with the expenses.

The size or population of ‘buying clients,’ whether you consider them as ‘fools’ or ‘ignorant’ or just privileged, will certainly reach its optimum and start to decline.

Going onwards, people are going to be more judicious in their spending and reckless development by people who know nothing or little about AEC or even business are likely to feel it. In other words, the chicken have come home to roast. This is what is likely coming and I don’t call it a bubble burst, but something else.

Let’s call it a real estate development freeze.

The future of real estate development looks promising if it is wisely and carefully planned. And that precisely is the need for one to consider hiring relevant qualified construction professionals, like Project Managers, Architects, Engineers, CAD and BIM Managers and Designers and Drafters, Construction Managers and Building Contractors and Tradesmen. In this day and age, the best qualification is assured by various certifications, diplomas and degrees from institutions of higher learning and the various building related regulatory bodies. Plan wisely.

The author is an associate in Architectural Drafting and Design and possesses a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Westwood College. He practices as a CAD and BIM specialist at Afritech CAD Design. He can be reached through Admin@afritech-caddesign.com

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

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Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016

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

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

along the spout - that’s all it takes to reinterpret a well-known classic faucet. If you are looking for ground breaking design, don’t look any

the integrated GROHE EcoJoy® water-saving technology promotes responsible and sustainable consumption of water and energy. The

further than the Eurodisc Joy faucet line from GROHE. Combining visual lightness with easy operation, the Eurodisc Joy is clearly a cut above the rest with clever details and architectural clarity.

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

wall-mounted wash basin faucets additional feature the adjustable GROHE AquaGuide mousseur. Moreover, the SpeedClean technology ensures reliable functionality as well as a long life.

Buildesign Magazine | Issue 020/2016