NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE
NAIROBI ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE SCOOPS AWARDS A local architectural firm with an African footprint has earned two awards at the 2020 AAK (Architectural Association of Kenya) Duracoat Awards of Excellence held at the Nairobi Severa Hotel earlier this year. Boogertman + Partners
A
ccording to the organisers, both projects highlight the vision for innovative, sustainable and contextually responsible design. Tiara Business Park is a premier office development in Lavington, Nairobi. Located on a compact urban site, the building is expressed as two interlocking L’s that create a stacked forum with an atrium space. This creates a social heart for the building, pulls in natural light and creates a harmonious campus environment for tenants. Its design includes transparent facades that allow in optimum light while sun screens minimise the solar load on the building. Green design principles were applied in features such as solar heating and wastewater treatment. Crawford International School was designed using extensive research into the effect physical spaces have on learning along with the unique educational needs suitable for an African context. The result is an education ‘village‘ created with interchangeable and flexible spaces connected by open courtyards planted with indigenous trees. This vibrant plaza is the centre of the ‘village’ and connects to a community hall, library and sports centre. The interactions fostered through connectivity and play enhance learning opportunities and the school provides a valuable connection to the community it serves.
12
volume 10 | issue 2 www.tobuild.co.za
“We congratulate our clients and our partners who have worked alongside us to achieve these landmark projects,” says Andrew Kusewa Kilonzi, Architect and Director at Boogertman + Partners in Nairobi. “Our commitment is to create architecture that serves its community, is sustainable and delivers value for clients. The value of peer recognition in esteemed awards such as the AAK Duracoat Awards of Excellence inspires us to strive further to achieve our vision.” Currently ranked 98th in Building Design’s Top 100 World Architecture ranking, Boogertman + Partners also leads with the highest number of award-winning projects on the continent.