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S Y M B I O N I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Creating space for lifestyles to thrive

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Iconic Beautiful ymbion has built an incredible reputation for itself over the past 37 years, having consistently pushed itself to challenge the industry norms; proudly manifesting a multitude of award winning projects that span across hotel, commercial, medical, institutional and residential style developments to name a few. African architecture has experienced a change in recent years, moving away from its sole purpose of achieving functionality and profitability; instead Symbion focuses on taking the emerging consciousness of the continent and instilling that in its projects. “We provide architectural consultancy services across Africa and further afield,” explains Oscar Ogunde, Executive Director of Symbion Kenya. “All aspects of our work are guided by the principles within our Company

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of integrity, people, innovation, collaboration and excellence. We are an incredibly committed group when it comes to the development of the architecture industry as a whole, while ensuring we always celebrate the true nature of our clients.” The Company was formed in 1980 and after beginning as a partnership, it has since grown exponentially through taking on more directors and spreading its wings to open up working opportunities through operations in the Seychelles, Kampala and a base in Dar Es Salaam.

Relevant in a competitive market

In order to keep up-to-date with advancements in the industry, the Company is very aware of the importance of continuously upgrading its hardware and software, ensuring that it is always at the cutting edge of technology. Due to the continued growth of the Company and the number of branches it is now operating across, the technology used is also increasingly pivotal to ensuring cohesion between all of the practices.

Symbion International continues to add value to Africa’s landscape by creating space for lifestyles to thrive Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Kane Weller

TOYOTA EAST AFRICA SHOWROOM NAIROBI, KENYA

The brief required a stateof-the-art facility that communicates Toyotaâ€™s corporate image as a leading global car manufacturer, on a tight site, and that could be constructed in the shortest time possible.

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We are one of the leading suppliers & manufacturers of finely crafted timber products & customized joinery

Shah Timber was established in 1960, and over the years, it has grown to become one of the leaders in timber products, and customized hardwood furniture in the country. Our team of dedicated staff are highly skilled and well trained. We use precision equipment and selected materials along with a hands-on approach to ensure quality production, reliability and satisfied clients. SHAH TIMBER SUPPORTS THE KENYA FOREST WORKING GROUP (KFWG) IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

Shah Timber Mart Ltd Building No. 09, Homabay Road, Off Enterprise Road, Industrial Area

INTRODUCING

• KITCHENS

Composite decking

• DOORS • WINDOWS • WARDROBES • LAMINATED FURNITURE • HARDWOOD FLOORING • COMPOSITE DECKING WE USE SELECTED, HIGH QUALITY TIMBER IN HARDWOOD, SOFTWOOD, LAMINATES, VENEERS AND VARIOUS OTHER PRODUCTS.

Using EVA-TECH’s premium quality Composite Decking, we are able to provide you with an excellent, sustainable alternative to real wood to fulfill your need for premium outdoor living, without worrying about maintenance or durability.

We pride ourselves on the superior quality of work we produce! We’ve been involved with many prestigious projects, some of which are: The Norfolk Hotel, Sarova Hotel Group, Fairview Hotel, Enashipai Resort and Spa, Thika Greens, Standard Chartered Bank HQ, English Point Marina and many more! This has all been made possible by working together with well-established architectural firms and interior designers such as Symbion International.

Elegantly Crafted Joinery and Furniture

P. O Box 18054-00500, Nairobi, Kenya • info@shahtimber.co.ke • +254722664411 • +254733636398 • www.shahtimber.co.ke

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“We are proud to have worked with firms all over the world, including the US - specifically Chicago - and the UK,” continues Ogunde. “Subsequently it has been important to us to improve efficiency through our technology, skills and knowledge, which also keeps us very relevant in the market.” “We have found a particularly helpful way of keeping up to date with industry changes - in both trends and technological advancements - is through attending relevant industry symposia,” adds Ogunde. “We have also been able to use it as a promotional tool, as well as a great way to interact with other industry professionals to observe architectural activities in different parts of the world.”

Young workforce

Symbion has become a true advocate for the employment of new graduates, offering them the opportunity for professional growth in a creative environment. Ogunde affirms: “We strongly believe in providing opportunities for these young people. They have an incredible ability to bring forward fresh ideas, providing a constant flow of creative professionals. “A lot of these young people do choose to join our Company straight from their universities, in part due to our prominent standing in the industry; we have had to make ourselves

Kampala Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda

Inside the beautiful Kampala Serena Hotel

KAMPALA SERENA HOTEL KAMPALA, UGANDA

The harmonious synchronisation of the interior and exterior themes was certainly the most rewarding aspect of the project.

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competitive, as of course we are not the only company operating in the local market. However, it is important to have this level of competition as it is driving on the development of the profession and we are very happy to be a part of that.” As you would expect in a company of Symbion’s stature, there are also a lot of perks to working there which subsequently have a positive effect on staff morale and retention. “We ensure we support the aspirations and values of each member of the team,” describes Ogunde. “In terms of personal growth we guide our staff through projects, while also providing excellent remuneration in terms of pension schemes and personal advancement. Proudly, due to a combination of these factors, our staff turnover is very low.” Of course, with offices spread across the continent it is important to keep cohesion among the staff and the way in which they are trained.

stablished in the 1960s by current Managing Director Chetan Shah’s grandfather, Shah Timber is of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of finely crafted timber products and customised joinery to clients’ across Kenya and the wider African market. The Company installs windows, built-in wardrobes, cabinets, attics and staircases in addition to internal wood flooring and external decking for residential and commercial properties. To complement the external decking services already offered, the Company has recently undertaken a project with the English Point Marina, whereby eco-friendly composite decking was installed, its long lifespan outweighing the associated costs when compared to other materials. The Company’s projects involve architects, project managers, interior designers, contractors and the client and are flexible in dealing with the client or contractor directly. The Company also work with well-known construction companies and architectural firms such as Symbion International and its products and service reliability has been well established in the market and has been the main fortitude for its success, together with trained and qualified personnel both in the workshop and on sites, and modern machinery to cater for new and innovative products. Back in 2015, the Company exhibited at the 6th Ideal Interiors Expo, showcasing their products and services to the wider Kenyan market. After internal consultations, the product the Company decided to showcase was the customised bed made for a local

hotel, blending together modern and African features. Chetan commented: “It was a perfect choice, and all visitors and fellow exhibitors were asking if they could purchase for their own homes! They were also surprised to find that all the materials used to make our products were local to them.” The Company also exhibited outdoor furniture as well, giving a true flavour of the Company’s wide scope of products. To cap off an excellent exhibition, the Company were awarded the People’s Choice award.

T +254 722 664411, +254 733 636398 E info@shahtimber.co.ke www.shahtimber.co.ke

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CHINA JIANGXI INTERNATIONAL KENYA LIMITED

hina Jiangxi International Kenya Limited is a subsidiary of China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic & Technical Cooperation located in People’s Republic of China. Entering the Kenyan market in 2007, and with a mixture of Chinese and local employees, the Company undertake a variety of projects across various sectors, with a total contract value of $820 million. Current projects include a 55MW solar power plant, and investment in real estate development in Mombasa and the purchase of 7.5 acres of land in Nairobi.

Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, where the Symbion proposal envisaged a new university core, to the North of the existing core surrounded by clusters of schools and students hostels and dining facilities

Therefore the offices are run by working both independently and together by sharing skill-sets and knowledge as a group of construction and architectural professionals. This enables the best possible outcome for clients at all times. “We have been lucky enough over the years to build a portfolio of work with the best consultants across the regions we operate in,” continues Ogunde. “Together we have been able to strive towards excellence and through our creativity and professionalism, always deliver.”

Varying projects

Traditionally Symbion had done the majority of its work in the hospitality industry, however over time it has expanded into commercial, industrial and healthcare projects, as well as a plethora of peripheral opportunities. Ogunde adds: “We have worked on a medical centre of excellence with Politecnica of Italy.”

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We have been lucky enough over the years to build a portfolio of work with the best consultants across the regions we operate in... Together we have been able to strive towards excellence

Construction quality and efficiency has been repeatedly praised by owners and local media.

Another significant string to Symbion’s bow is the Nairobi Toyota showroom project it undertook in 2013. It was able to take a fairly simple building design and use it as an opportunity to employ sustainable building principles, ensuring that there would be a perfect amount of ventilation in the showroom without

One of the largest international engineering contractors in Kenya. We’re involved in the construction of housing, road, bridge, water supply, dam, borehole, solar power plant and real estate development. For 30 years, CJIC has successfully undertaken more than 500 overseas projects and China-aided projects in 50 countries and regions of Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Its total value of implemented contracts has reached more than 7 billion US dollars. China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited Suite 5, 4th Floor, Greenhouse Ngong road, Nairobi, Kenya P.O. Box 21802 00505 Nairobi, Kenya

China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation No 1198 Fenghe Middle Avenue, HongGutan District, Nanchang Jiangxi 330038, P. R. China

T: +254 775 666168 C: +254 701 742618 E: kenyaoffice@cjic.cn

T: +86 791 8637 3644 E: contract@cjic.cn www.cjic.cn

AIRPORT TRADE CENTRE NAIROBI, KENYA

As one of the first buildings seen by visitors entering Kenya through the JKIA, the design intention was to create a powerful architectural presence with a strong visual statement.

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the requirement of air conditioning. “In that respect it was a simple project, but particularly significant in terms of showing the technical aspects that Symbion can bring to projects,” explains Ogunde. “The brief we were set required the creation of a state-ofthe-art building, within the challenge of a tight site while sticking to a short time frame.” Another important project for the Company was the redevelopment of the Kampala Serena Hotel - formerly known as the Nile - which resulted in the successful creation of a new hotel which is a jewel in the crown for Serena Group. With 152 rooms and suites, it was no mean feat for Symbion, having to also ensure that the views of the bustling city and surrounding hilled areas were not interrupted by any new construction. “We decided to work with themes of lakes, rivers, wildlife and landscapes in order to tie together the interior and exterior of the hotel,” describes Ogunde. “Employing the skilled local craftsmen, we were able to bring into play exquisite and individual creations of beaten copper fretwork, mosaic pillars and carved panels to bring to life the communal spaces we were working with.”

Areas of expertise

Over the years Symbion has worked tirelessly to best serve those that have a desire to create spaces that allow a thriving atmosphere. While consciously adding value to the African landscape, the Company has perfected a wide range of services to meet these requirements. The Company firmly stands by the description of architecture as the ‘art of possibilities’, adapting that and using it as a basis of its ideals, using the craft as a way to create environments that will foster human life, needs and civilisation in general. Ogunde continues: “We particularly

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EQUATORIA TOWER

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN The development comprises a 12 storey commercial high rise building that is the first modern high rise building of its kind in Central Equatoria State and South Sudan.

HQ PROJECT

KIGALI, RWANDA The site is located within Gasabo district and comprises a large Conference hall to accommodate 2600 people at full capacity; Secretariat & several support buildings.

Employing the skilled local craftsmen, we were able to bring into play exquisite and individual creations of beaten copper fretwork, mosaic pillars and carved panels

enjoy testing the limits of what we can achieve both technically and economically; over the years we have found that this has attracted developers to Symbion.” With several decades of experience in an incredible array of projects - not to mention its perfectly honed worldclass project management - Symbion is going from strength to strength in the industry. “Due to the successful enterprise we run, the scale and complexity of our projects are increasing,” concludes Ogunde. “This is something that we will strive to continue on with when moving the Company forward. We believe we have the perfect inhouse team to achieve this, having consistently proven their ability to achieve unparalleled success.”

LANDMARK DESIGNS LTD. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS

A Kenyan based Design-build Landscape Architect and Urban Design firm which provides ecological landscape planning and design solutions for a broad range of projects in East Africa. PROUD Master Planning TO BE IN Urban Design ASSOCIATED Bill of Quantities WITH SYMBION KENYA LTD. Planting design & specification • Conceptual design • Design Implementation • Landscape Maintenance

• • • •

P.O. Box 29823-00100 Nairobi, KENYA • www.landmarkdesignsltd.com M: +254725494922 / +254721470871 • E: info@landmarkdesignsltd.com

Outlook Creative Services

Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

A leading global multinational risk management, advisory, broking and solutions company. With over 39,000 employees in more than 120 countries, our unique perspective allows us to see the connections between talent, assets and ideas that can drive performance and growth. Powered by market analytics, behavioral insight and a culture of seamless execution, we work with you to design and implement lasting solutions that turn risk into a path to growth. Nairobi +254 (0) 20 296 7000 Mombasa +254 (0) 725 552 607

www.willistowerswatson.com

In the elevator industry for over 50 years In the Elevator industry for over 50 years In the Elevator industry for over 50 years

CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL

CHRISTOPHEMy KEREBEL Twitter : @chriskere My Twitter : @chriskere

We are proud associated with Symbion International We are proud associated with Symbion International We are proud tototo bebebe associated with Symbion International F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

Head Office P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076 EMAIL: info.ke@eaecl.net

Head Office: Head Office: P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076 MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076

SYMBION INTERNATIONAL Symbion House, Dagoreti Road, Karen, Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254-020-2610691, 2455071, 2688048/9 +254-733-801386, +254-722-808000 Symbionkenya@symbion-int.com