Meet the Architect turned Developer LEE KARURI
Post Mordern Design Boom in Nairobi
Geminia Insurance Plaza, Upperhill
Giving Life to your Roof - Eurotop N35 Everything Security, Safety and Protection - SECPROTEC 2015 Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
www.buildesign.co.ke
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CONTENTS 10 Building Review Deconstructive Architecture Geminia Insurance Plaza
08 Innovation Breathable Roof Underlay - Eurotop N35
38 Event SECPROTEC 2015 Securing the Future of East Africa
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10 31
38
34 34 Travel
Paris - The City of Light
31 Award GROHE - At The Top in 2014 German Sustainability Awards
18 Profile
18 4
Arch. Lee Karuri - Economist and Property Developer
Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
EDITORIAL As we finalized the second issue of the BUILDesign magazine for 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal and by the time we were going to print, the death toll stood at more than 4,000. This is set to rise as rescue efforts intensify. It is very devastating. It was back in 2010 when two major earthquakes happened in quick succession. One was very shocking in its devastation and damage, while the other, although stronger, was much less deadlier. This was the story of Haiti and Chile. Haiti suffered an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude on the Ritcher Scale almost totally vanquishing its major cities, especially the capital Port Au Prince, the heart of the devastation and had an estimated death toll of over 300,000. Chile’s earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 on the Ritcher Scale however claimed on 500 lives. The damage to infrastructure and buildings was far less, compared to Haiti. At the heart of these very different outcomes is the Building code and its enforcement. Whilst Chile maintains one of the most stringent and strictly enforced Building codes on the planet, Haiti is trapped in the perennial tragedy of lackluster building regulations common in poor and developing countries. And that is the tragedy we are facing in Kenya today. The tragedy of non enforcement of building codes and by laws. The tragedy of an industry that has been let loose, where developers do what they want, whenever they want and however they want it done. Whenever I walk around Nairobi, and see what is happening, I shudder at the thought of an earthquake ever happening here. We may rest with the assurance that we are located far off the known earthquake belts. But things have been changing at a rate never experienced before. It rains when it is not supposed to and it doesn’t when it should. Average recorded temperatures in the last decade have been higher than what has been recorded in the last century. I would therefore not be shocked if an earthquake happens in Kenya today.
Publisher: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd Suite 16, 5th floor, Vision Plaza P.O.Box. 60540-00200, Nairobi info@architecturekenya.com Distributors: Jetsam Distribution Ltd Mai Mahiu Rd, Off Lang’ata Rd info@jetsamdistribution.com www.facebook.com/BUILDesignKE www.twitter.com/BUILDesignKE Copyright ©: Architecture Kenya Media Ltd
The BUILDesign Magazine team would like to encourage players in the built environment to play their part in ensuring strict adherence to the building codes and bylaws that we have. We should stop the madness at this point, and moving forward, do things right. Then we look back to see how we can correct the ills of the past. In this issue of BUILDesign Magazine, we have specially packaged insightful and inspirational pieces for you. On our regular features we have unraveled the marvel behind the unique design of Geminia Insurance Plaza. We have also explored the historic culture and architecture of the Paris City. Our team also sat under the brilliance of the self-made economist and property developer, Arch. Lee Karuri as he opened up about his journey from a village school boy to the advisor of the president. Coupled with several other informative features, also savor product knowledge from our esteemed partners. As always, we invite your comments, reactions and reviews of the features we publish. Please visit our website www. buildesign.co.ke and get in touch with us through the email: info@architecturekenya.com. Enjoy the read!
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Martin Tairo tairo@architecturekenya.com
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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 consquenes of using the information contained herein.
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Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, I have read a few issues of your publication and I appreciate the strides you are making in sensitizing the public to the various issues and possibilities in the design sector of the building and construction industry. However, there is another aspect of the design phase that, in my opinion, is of great importance but has not been focused on - Landscape Architecture. As a Landscape Architecture student currently undertaking my second internship, I have noticed cases in numerous projects where after other consultants have come in, prepared their designs and left, the clients realize that ‘something’, is amiss with the final product, which is when a Landscape Architect is called in to make, sometimes futile, attempts to remedy the situation; a situation that could have been entirely avoided had the Landscape Architect been involved from the beginning of the design phase. And
not
just
in
preparation
of
the Planting Design Scheme and Schedules, due to the nature of our course and studies, I believe that Landscape Architects are better placed to carry out the Site Planning and Design aspect compared to Architects. My intention is not to cause any controversy; I simply wish to educate the public, both clients and other professionals within the industry as to what Landscape Architecture is all about, what it offers and what it brings to the proverbial table. This brings me to my main aim of writing to you. I believe that BUILDesign Magazine is best placed to carry out this sensitization exercise due to your revered status within the industry, and because the message might be received better coming from one Architect to another. I think it is high time potential clients know of the existence of the field and profession of Landscape Architecture, and that there are indeed locally available Landscape Architects.
significant amount of commercial projects that took on the services of a Landscape Architect, but for some unknown reason, at least to me, they procure such services from abroad. They utilize Landscape Architects from far off areas such as South Africa, England, China and others. My request to you is to carry out a profile on Landscape Architecture, showing what it entails, and where it can be and should be utilized in the various phases of planning, design and development. I hope that the profile will be enlightening and educative to enable many see the sense and importance of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Architects.
Kind Regards,
Cyrus Kimani Kamau
In my research, I have found a
Win
A Sumptuous In our progressive partnership with the award winning hotel, The Boma-Nairobi, we extend the competition to the letters sent to the editor. The winning letter will be published and the writer will also get a meal voucher for two at the BOMA hotel. at the BOMA Hotel - Nairobi
The current winners are: Lydia Nthiga Barrack Obaga Micheal Mungai Sharon Nabutse Cyrus Kimani Kamau
Buy a copy of BUILDesign magazine and Stand a chance to win a meal voucher for two at the luxurious award winning hotel THE BOMA NAIROBI
&
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AWARD
Woman Contractor 2014 Award presentation ARM-NCA deliver the award to the winner Melanie Wituka of Suleco Company Ltd who was crowned the Woman Contractor of the Year award 2014 was presented with Kshs. 1M worth of cement on March 18th2015 at her hometown in Kakamega County. The awarding company, Athi River Mining took the cement to her home in a ceremonious occasion that was graced by several dignitaries from within the Rif Valley region. The ceremony was held at the Golf hotel. It all started with a mini road show around the town. The Governors of Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia Counties, NCA officials and ARM team paraded with the Kakamega people in celebration. The procession then ended at the Golf hotel where there were a few speeches. Present also were
empower women in the construction industry. It will be remembered that the Women Contractors Awards is a brain child of the former CS for the Ministry of Housing, Hon. Charity Ngilu. The occasion which will be held annually was birthed at a dinner that the CS had hosted for women contractors who had now become a recognizable population in the construction industry. The dinner was held to celebrate PPOA (amendments that had been passed to the regulation stating that 30% of all government procurement would be allocated to women, the youth and persons with disabilities). The same night AKEWIC was born, the first fully fledged women contractor’s association. Several partners were invited including the manufacturing companies in the construction industry. It was there that ARM pledged to support the initiative by awarding the winner of the competition. WCA is a testament of the Authority’s commitment to supporting women contractors and providing a platform where they can meet, network with companies in the building and construction industry and be lauded for their achievements. Progressively, the WCA will continue to run every year as a subset of the greater National Construction Excellence Awards and the Authority plans to continue involving women in all their affirmative actions, training and equality in the industry.
contractors from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia , Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties. The governor, NCA and ARM pledged to continue supporting Melanie and other contractors in the region. Following the win, Melanie, whose company is currently working a huge road project at Kakamega County, has been nominated for the African Woman Contractor of the year award. NCA is sponsoring her participation as she goes forth to represent Kenya on such a huge platform. The opportunity will offer her exposure and networks across Africa hence we can say that athe program is already creating the intended impact to
NCA and ARM officials during the award ceremony in Kakamega
Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
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INNOVATION
Does Your Roof Breathe?
EUROTOP N35 underlay membrane is the Solution to a warm and dry roof.
When building a roof using the conventional stone tiles, it is mandatory to put an underlay material to avoid water penetration and ensure ventilation. In Kenya, the common roof underlay material used is the galvanized iron sheets, commonly known as ‘mabati’ and in some cases, the polythene. But unlike these materials, EUROTOP N35 is a futuristic underlay solution for roofing, manufactured in Europe by FAKRO. The product is now available in Kenya with FAKRO’s regional distributor for East and Central Africa, Classic Mouldings Ltd.
NON PERMEABLE MEMBRANES
EUROTOP N35 is made of a high waterproofing film between two layers of non-woven polypropylene laminated with an electrostatic field spun bond to form a flexible membrane. The white inner active layer protects the membrane against mechanical damage e.g. tearing, while the green outer spun bond layer makes the underlay waterproof and breathable. Acclaimed as the best solution for roof underlay in the larger Europe & US, EUROTOP N35 has been tested to UV radiation for vapor diffusion exhibiting such parameters as high water vapor permeability that allows insulation without need for any ventilation gaps in the roof structure. This makes it possible to apply thicker layers of insulation translating to energy saving. The material is breathable, light-weight and soft with a fabric feel hence it can last for over a century without need for replacement. In bare exposure without any form of insulation, EUROTOP N35 protective ability makes it prevalent in all weather conditions without damaging for up to 3 months. This offers you flexibility in building as you can choose to finish interiors hand in hand with installation of doors and windows in a safe structure without worrying of mechanical damages. It is these outstanding properties that leave EUROTOP N35 the global best seller and the most sought roof underlay material in the modern day building.
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BANDS FOR ROOFING UNDERLAYS AND MEMBRANES
Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
Application of EUROTOP membrane in a roof structure has many advantages;
HIGH VAPOUR PERMEABILITY MEMBRANES
Its breathable membrane keeps any condensation or humidity from the building up in the attic allowing for proper ventilation in the space. EUROTOP membrane is very strong, durable and non corrosive hence it can be recycled (that means, it can be used from one house to the other). The material can lay bare on the roof for over three months without rain or sunshine damage even before the tiles are fitted. EUROTOP installation is enormously time saving. It takes a fifth of the time to install compared to the amount of time taken to install conventional underlay materials. It can be laid directly on the roof structure or over the roof rafters making it even way faster to apply. The large rolls of the material also allows for minimal wastage due overlap. It is completely safe to handle EUROTOP compared to mabati and way economical. When nailed, it seals itself straight and effortlessly on the wood unlike mabati which opens up to corrosion upon nailing. In addition, EUROTOP sheets can be easily stapled using a stapula. For proportion, it can easily be cut using scissors into the desired size or shape and sealed with an adhesive tape. Visit Classic Mouldings at their Nairobi showroom, tell their team of professionals what you have in mind – and they’ll make it happen. Classic Mouldings, Kellico Complex, Mombasa Road, Nairobi – secure parking, great ideas, informed staff and professional backup. For further information: info@classic-mouldings.com Tel; + 254 (0) 02 2585596/ 3519526 or 0721 123 123,
LOW VAPOUR PERMEABILITY MEMBRANES Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
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THE POST MODERN DESIGN Geminia Insurance Plaza BOOM IN NAIROBI Inspired by the tectonic forces associated with the Greek mythological character, Atlas, Geminia Insurance plaza is arguably one of the best examples of ‘out of the norm’ designs in Nairobi. The Studio Infinity architects, the brains behind this brilliant design, adopted a form that was a space frame on the posture of “Atlas shrugged” as he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders using the actual lines of force i.e. vectors that result from the physical activity of carrying weighty objects as shown in the image to the left: The building is located in Upper Hill, Nairobi, opposite the Embassy of Japan and Coca Cola Africa Headquarters on the corner of Mara and Kilimanjaro roads. It is surrounded by beautiful vista views from the Upper Hill architecture. Geminia Insurance Plaza occupies a total of 32,000 sq.ft The one acre site had a shallow slope and was relatively tight considering the brief that the client had requiring an office building with 24,000 sq.ft lettable space and 8,000 sq.ft to be used by the client for their own purposes. The brief also required that the building to exhibit sound aptitude of the developer in the insurance industry. The building comprises of a basement floor, ground floor and seven other floors. The basement floor houses some
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Atrium
Reception
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BUILDING
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2,600
2,600 400
LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN
GSPublisherEngine 0.28.100.100
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
essential services for the building and 22No. parking spaces. All the other floors are office spaces. The ground floor parking area accommodates 39No. cars. The design is based on a postmodern style of architecture characterized by fragmentation, manipulating a structure’s surface with intersecting volumes intended to distort the rational elements of design avoiding the usual and normal vertical and horizontal planes, commonly referred to as ‘Deconstruction’. The walls, ceilings and all other surfaces are slightly tilted off the conventional plane so as to evoke an emotion of strength as was the desire of the client. The structural design was based on a 6m x 6m grid that allowed hollow pot slabs. This eliminated any down-stand beams in the offices. Some of the slanted surfaces of the exteriors act as roofing and the exposed trusses in some areas were designed for aesthetic purposes.
Fence
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The form of Geminia building has numerous slanted walls, acute angles and a somewhat complex juxtaposition of various shapes. This was done without creating
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BUILDING
ELEVATION 02 1:100
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unnecessarily large cantilevers or irregular office spaces that would be challenging to partition later. There is a bridge linking the lift shaft to the office spaces and delinking the company services from the le-table areas. The atrium allows for natural ventilation and lighting up the central courtyard. Most glass facades are oriented north- south to prevent heat-gain. The Alucobond sheets also act as roofing to the slanted facades and reflect off a lot of heat. The thermal solar glass further reduces the environmental impact of the development. The bridge feature ensures minimum circulation area. Structural integration was the major challenge in the design and construction. The aluminum works had to be designed considering the steel structure below it, which was quite a task. A design like this also needed to follow up with the theme created in the design of the detailing and the interiors. The structural design
Front facade Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
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was also unconventional. Alucobond sheets which are aluminium thermobonded to a polythene core have been used on the exterior plus solar glass and natural yellow stone cladding on the front façade. General plasterwork was done in the interiors, finished with tiling. The interior floor and the washrooms are finished with granite tiles. Walls around the lift lobby are finished with glazed tiles
Project Data: Client – Geminia Insurance Co. Architect – Studio Infinity Main Contractor – Twiga Construction Co. Ltd Qs – Construction Cost Consultancy MEE – Ele-Mech Consultants Structural Engineer – Civil Eng. Design Ltd
This building is intended to have the ability to remain imprinted within one’s mind forever and not just simply get tossed into the massive array of architectural works that lack nostalgic appeal. Taking two years to build, construction commenced in August 2004 and finished in September 2006. The project cost was Kes. 181M.
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The Future of How Things Are Made
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ENVIRONMENT
Nairobi’s Climate & Day-lighting Potential Eric Loki David - Architect Mphil. (Environmental Design in Architecture) Cambridge, B.Arch (Hons) Nairobi, LEED (Green Associate) MAAK (ED) Introduction Nairobi lies at latitude 1°South and longitude 36°east, and at an altitude of between 1600m and 1800m above sea level. Just over 100 years old, the city has developed into one of the most international cities in the world. With a population of approximately 3-4 million inhabitants, it is the largest city in eastern Africa. Nairobi has experienced a large increase in population, mostly as a result of rural-urban migration, and its urban growth rate is one of the highest in the world at the moment. This article reviews top-lighting in the city, both by looking at the potential presented by the existing building stock as well as the various cases where it has been utilized. Climatic conditions Nairobi experiences a tropical upland type of climate, characterized by strong solar radiation, often with moderate to cool air temperatures. Even during the hot season (experienced in February/March), air temperatures rarely rises above 300C. Daily averages of day and night temperatures vary only from about 17°C during the cold season (July and August) to 20°C in the hot season (February/March). However, diurnal temperature variation is quite large, averaging about 10°C in May and 15°C in February (see illustrated climatic data). Cultural responses to climate Nairobi is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city, with vibrant academic, commercial and civic functions. A typical working day is between 8.00am and 5.00pm all year round. No special clothing is required for any period of the year and the dressing code for office users is mainly the usual formal wear -including a shirt, trousers, jacket or sweater, socks, shoes for men; and a skirt/dress, blouse and a sweater for women. It is common for workers to take off their jackets and sweaters as temperature increases during the day. Daylight use and the potential for top-lighting Nairobi’s sky type can been classified as an intermediate sky (i.e. average cloudy condition with cloud cover value of 6–7 oktas). The city’s daylight design criterion is within 10–80 klx during working hours. The total percentage of external illumination in Nairobi that falls above 10 klx during working hours is 93%. This suggests that the potential for day-lighting is very high.
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ENVIRONMENT
Nearly all the new developments coming up in Nairobi provide an excellent opportunity for toplighting with over 50% being low-rise (1-3 stories) shopping malls, academic facilities and office spaces. The existing building stock, much of which were build in the years of ‘adequate energy’ and run on artificial light all day and night, can benefit a lot from retrofitting. London lat. 520 - 5000 lux Hobart lat. 430 - 5,500 lux
Design skies for various cities across the globe. The city’s top-lighting potential can be understood by a look at the city’s key building forms. These include the ‘tower & podium’ type (with the podium normally 2 to 3 stories high), single rectangular towers both low rise and high-rise, and courtyard types. A common characteristic of all buildings in Nairobi is the canopy that protects the street fronts from rain and strong sunshine, extending to about 3m over the pavements. Low rise buildings (see schematic diagrams) offer the greatest potential for top-lighting. However, even for the tallest towers, the two or even three top-most floors provide an excellent opportunity which if im-plemented at the city scale would have a great impact. All the canopies shading the street fronts offer top-lighting opportunities as many have resulted in ‘dark’ pedestrian walks and ground levels.
Sidney lat. 330 - 8,000 lux Brisbane lat. 270 - 10,000 lux Darwin lat.100 - 15,000 lux Nairobi lat. 10 - 18,000 lux
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Economic Change & Property Development ARCHITECT LEE KARURI 18
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PROFILE
H
e has advised presidents on economic trends, influenced decisions in the private sector and held some of the most powerful positions in the built industry.A born again Christian, Architect Lee Karuri can be regarded as the leader without a title; he has passionately and selflessly championed the socio-economic growth locally and beyond through the various opportunities and positions of power he has been entrusted, in sheer determination and courage. Born in Karatina town, Nyeri County in 1964, the 51 year old architect and real estate developer wanted to become a diplomat. This childhood ambition was derived from a great admiration of the people in the diplomatic service. For instance, Andrew Young, who was the mayor of Atlanta later, becoming the US ambassador to the United Nations. Lee also admired Salim, who was the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Tanzania. Interestingly, his diplomatic spirit has played largely in his different capacities as a leader, dealing with clients in business, engaging the government and other partners in the private sector. He grew up as a third born child in a family of eleven children and both his parents were teachers. Education Lee attended Karidudu primary school in Nyeri and later joined Alliance Boys High School for his secondary education in 1977. Cultural diversity and the competitive environment at the school empowered Lee as a young person to focus and explore his full potential. In 1982 and at Form six, which was the final year in high school, he was made the school captain, becoming his first position ever in leadership. In the capacity and as a student, he had to learn reconciliation, administration and bringing out the best in everyone. Although Lee loved art, his brilliance in
sciences convinced him that he would only qualify for an engineering course at the university.This knowledge would later change at Form 5 when Dr. Hanjari visited his school, Alliance Boys, to give a career talk. Dr. Hanjari, who was then the Chairman of the Dept of Architecture at the University of Nairobi, spoke highly of architecture, design and buildings. It was at that moment when Lee realized that architecture had everything to do with the things he loved; art, painting, creative processes and appreciation for the environment and physical things. When it came to career choice, Lee selected architecture as his first choice. He was admitted at the University of Nairobi to study the course in 1984. The same year he joined the University, his father passed on. The loss would result to a huge change in their family as they had to move out of the house in which they lived courtesy of their father who was a university lecturer at Kikuyu Campus. The mother had to move the family to their only land in Nanyuki where they call home to this day. Lee who was only 20 years old defines the experience as tough but an awakening altogether. He had to assume responsibility involuntary in order to help his mother in taking care of his siblings whilst continuing with his studies. Lee joined a music group at campus where he used to play drums. He was even selected as part of the team that went to represent Kenya in Scotland at Abardeen Cultural Music Festivals. He also started painting and selling art at the university, establishing a small business. At 3rd year, he partnered with a friend to make building models for architects and this became a new source of revenue. This helped him to support his mother and siblings. It also helped him learn certain business principles like keeping time, quality in presenting work and conducting
business affairs with discipline. He also learned how to negotiate fees like a business person and not a student. From his savings, Lee managed to buy his first used car at 24 years while in his 4th year at the university. He would use the car to transport models to the clients who lived out of town. They continued with this business up to mid of 5th year since they had to prepare for their exams towards the end of their final academic year.The two tier course took Lee five years, completing his BA Arch. in 1989. Early Career Life Lee always wanted to work in the private sector; he loves the challenge and competitive urge of the business environment as he believes that it helps bring out the best in an individual. So when he graduated in 1989, he did not apply for a job in the government. One of his clients for the architectural models, Symbion Architects took him up an assistant architect. At Symbion, he was involved in design and supervision of Chancery building along Valley road (the brick building opp. CITAM offices). Lee was also involved in feasibility studies of some of the Serena Hotels in Tanzania and several other residential projects. After two years, Lee left Symbion in 1992 and joined Triad architects. All the while, Lee’s desire was to open his own firm; he just needed to learn how from other people as well as meet the legal requirements to become a registered architect. In 1993, he was registered an architect and hence resigning to partner with his classmate and friend Arch. Chema Katua, who he’d left at Symbion Architects. Private Practice In January 1994, Lee and his partner Chema established their company, Dimensions Architects & Interior
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PROFILE
Designers. Their vision was to grow a firm of good reputation like those of their former employers Symbion and Triad. For the first two years, they had only three employees with a guest house along Ngong road as their office. Here they were able to build clientele and in 1995, they opened an office in Uganda. They did several projects in Uganda and until today, Dimensions remains a leading firm in the country. They then moved to Rwanda where they also did several projects. The 21 year old firm prides in landmarks such as the Runda Park and the Muhugu Gardens in Karen among many others. Dimension architects have grown overtime becoming one of the lead firms in East and Central Africa. Lee is still a practicing architect and a director at Dimensions Architects and Interior Designers Transition to Real Estate Development As a registered member of AAK, Lee was elected as the chairman of the Associationin 1998, a position he held until 2001. During the tenure, he networked with different developers and suppliers in the industry and it was then that he discovered the potential in real estate, not just what architects do in providing services but also what designers would do as property developers. He realized that as a consultant, he would participate in meeting the housing needs in Kenya through well planned communities that follow the legal requirements. And so exactly ten years ago, Lee made a brave move to venture into property development in the year 2005.
Presentation of Leadership Award to Arch. Lee Karuri by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta for service as Chairman of KEPSA during the 10th anniversary on 15th Dec 2013
Lee started the business together with his wife Consolata. They worked on small projects until 2008 when they formed a partnership with four of their friends to create an investment club, hence the establishment of Home Afrika. The idea was to bring together investors in real estate to provide housing for African people and Lee was made the chairman, a position he holds to this day. With a membership of over 128 investors, Home Afrika is now a listed company in the Nairobi Securities Exchange market and the first real estate companyto be listed in Kenyan history. The company is behind the multi-billion shilling Migaa golf community in Kiambu comprising of over 700 acres. They also have a program to roll out 1,000 homes for Kenyans across the country in meeting the housing deficit with affordable, decent and well planned sustainable communities. The program is expected to run across the whole of Africa, beginning with Kenya. The 7 year old firm also owns several developments such as the Morning Side office park along Ngong road. Through GEMS(growth enterprise markets), Home Afrika hopes to realize multiple means of raising money within the capital market in order to fund more projects. Leadership and Public Service
Arch. Lee Karuri with other Directors of Resort & Cities namely Mr James Wathigo, Mrs Sophie Wathigo and Mrs Consolata Gituto
Actively wearing his architectural hat, Lee is currently the chairman of the college of Fellows at AAK, which is the highest honorary position under the profession in Kenya. In 2003, Lee and nine other
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business leaders in the
PROFILE
private sector formed an alliance that would partner with the government in rebuilding the economy of the country; the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, commonly known as KEPSA. The organization, which was formed at an economic recovery strategy conference organized by President Kibaki, elected Dr. Manu Chandaria, one of the founding members, as the chairman. In 2005, Lee was made the chairman, a position he held for two years. KEPSA continues to champion development in partnership with the government. It is accredited as one of the most influential organizations in the business community in Kenya today. Early this year, the institution established the KEPSA Foundation and Lee was elected as the vice chairman of the KEPSA Foundation Board of Trusteeswhich is set to keep the sustainability agenda of the organization and the private sector. Consequently, his strong positions in KEPSA have opened great opportunities for Lee, giving him access to the executive office of the government. In 2005, he developed a working relationship with the former president Kibaki and hence became his friend and one of his advisors on the economic agenda. In 2006, Lee was appointed by the president as one of the committee members in the formation of Vision 2030; the twelve member team was given two years to author and document a vision for the nation which was launched by the president in 2008. Their strong work relationship would earn Lee complete trust of the president hence landing him yet another appointment as his chief manager and adviser for his re-election campaign. Lee would then take a sabbatical leave for one year to spend time with the president and advise him. Privileged with the opportunity to interact with such influential people in the government and the business community, Lee also sits on the presidential round table of President Uhuru covered by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance. The presidential round table is an economic forum between the private sector and the government chaired by the president. The meeting which happens twice a year comprises of the cabinet secretaries, the vice president , the speaker of the national assembly, the attorney general, the chief justice and private sector leaders who gather to review the state of the country’s social and economic affairs coming up with strategies and solutions to the problems.
Cape Gardens
Muhugu Gardens
Challenges Corruption is the greatest obstacle in the business environment which Lee addresses as a collapse of a value system. He notes that while majority of the older generation are consumed by the vice, there is hope for the elite young generation if we build on the value system of the youth. There must be a propagation of ideals of good conduct to make somebody believe that corruption is not good with reasons why and how it affects them. Sustaining the business with enough work and revenue hasn’t been easy too. Sometimes, he has had to reduce the labour. Huge financing required in property development has also
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PROFILE been challenging .Poor infrastructure in most of the parts across the country has also been challenging.
not only physically but intellectually and resourcefully to the government and the people without quest for reward.
On the account of integrity, Lee and his partners also regret loss of work from the public sector due to corruption. They have since decided to operate within the private sector where affairs are conducted on merit.
He has also started a Foundation called Mwangaza Trust with his wife Consolata and their children Diana and William. The purpose is to transform the lives of needy people through education, food security, economic empowerment, compassionate support and spiritual growth.
The transition from consultancy to a developer was also a challenge. All the factors of the real business world come into play hence you have to face them. Future Plans As the chair to the college of fellow of AAK, Lee with his team hopes to restore dignity in the professions under the built industry as well as mentor the upcoming professionals to conduct their affairs in integrity and proper value system. As fellows, they also want to sustain good caliber practice and champion better development as a support system to AAK in order for the association to continue to be a pivotal institution in the industry by ensuring good governance and vibrant presence. At KEPSA, Lee would like to see the organization bring a lasting difference in the lives of ordinary Kenyans through better policies, conducive economic environment, wealth creation and employment opportunities in partnership with the current government and the future governments. He hopes this will be achievable with proper planning and free of corruption.
Advice When you make up your mind to do something, execute your plan with passion and conviction. Center your life around the things you love and believe in. Plan well and write down your plans. Personal Life Lee is a family man; a husband to one wife and a father to two children. Conclusion Selfless in his service to the society, the accredited Architect remains passionate about the transformation, economic growth and development of Africa. He is actively involved in contributions within the industry to impact positively to the built environment with a view of improving the country’s economy and affairs of the professionals.
As an individual, Lee desires to continue serving God selflessly in the positions entrusted to him and to make a difference in those areas as an active participant and patriotic citizen, offering solutions to the problems that face Kenya. He is intentional about remaining available
Runda Park
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The rot that is in our building sector Collapse of buildings is the worst manifestation of the rot that lies in the building sector in Nairobi and Kenya at large. Much of the developments we have however do not conform to some of the very basic health and safety requirements in buildings like those concerning lighting, ventilation, building heights, etc. Many people could be dying due to respiratory diseases cause by the environments they are living in, without their knowledge. And these could be more than those that die from collapse of buildings. All along Outer Ring Road from Pipeline in Embakasi, past Donholm, through Kariobangi all the way to Thika Road where we have the likes of Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman and Githurai estates, myriad of buildings dot the landscape, most if not all of which paid no attention to any building by law that exists today. From buildings going up to ten floors with no elevators (yet the bylaws allow a maximum of five floors) to those that completely fill up sites with no provisions for open spaces and parking (yet it is only in CBD and other satellite centres like Westlands where such MAY be allowed on fulfillment of very strict conditions regarding parking), these neighbourhoods have buildings that flout every building by law in existence today. Use of poor quality construction materials and methodology and taking unnecessary shortcuts in order to save costs is on another level altogether. It is criminal. It endangers the lives of the construction workers working on that site, and if they are lucky, the risk is transferred to the occupants of such buildings.
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City Hall, since the days of City Council of Nairobi, and currently under the Nairobi City County Government, has had the sole mandate of ensuring that what was built followed each and every building by-law and in addition, added to the aesthetics of the city. First, they have to ensure that only registered architects and engineers were responsible for all the works that were submitted for approval. Then, they go through the drawings to establish if they follow the planning by-laws and whether they fulfill requirements laid by health and fire departments regarding safety of the occupants. After approvals, their enforcement officers are supposed to visit sites at critical stages to ensure that the construction is as per the approvals that were awarded. Authorities have always blamed lack of capacity as the cause of the mayhem we see. This is however not the case as many building consultants who follow the right procedures will tell you that the enforcement officers are always on their sites scrutinizing details and ensuring that the construction happens as per the approved drawings. Minor issues in such sites are usually taken very seriously and have at times led to closure of sites until the developers conform to the bylaws. Therefore, why do we see the mess that is in Nairobi and many other areas in Kenya? The approval process has been turned from a regulatory procedure into a money minting process for both the county government and some shrewd officials in its planning and enforcement departments. Developments, some of which are out rightly illegal,
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OPINION
some built on roads and riparian reserves or even on public property, would be accepted at city hall mainly because the developers are able to pay the submission fees, money that the county government seemingly really needs. It therefore goes without say that the developments which only flout bylaws are the lesser evil, and are easily accepted. Non qualified people somehow are still able to submit plans for approval. For this, I would partly blame some professionals who at times sign documents for unqualified people. Gross violation of by-laws is allowed to pass by officials scrutinizing the drawings. Enforcement officers seem to have specialized in collection of bribes from sites that openly break the laws. There are developers who would actually build without seeking any form of authority from City Hall and the inspectors would be ‘entitled’ to a certain amount of money every week they make their rounds. Numerous proposals have been made for change in laws to create independent entities that would assist in enforcement. The National Construction Authority is a recent result of such efforts. It has been proposed that institutions like BORAQS be strengthened and given mandate not only to deal with their members but regulate the whole industry. While all the above efforts are sensible, it is good to note that we have never had inadequate laws to deal with the mess in our construction sector. The will to implement and enforce the laws is what has been missing. The political class has also played a negative role in this whole mess. It is open that a number of city politicians, both in and out of power currently, are some of the major developers in some of these areas where there seems to be ‘lawlessness’ in construction.
These have always come out to defend the status quo whenever an attempt has been made to either stop or correct some of these ills. The mess is currently beyond repair. The investment made is too huge to throw down the drain. No sane leader, no matter how determined they are, will have the guts to correct the ills running several decades back. The best point to start from will be now. Ensuring that all development moving forward will follow all laid down procedures for approvals. The approving officials will have to be diligent in their works, not allowing unscrupulous developers to flout building bylaws just to increase their rates of return for projects. We can then slowly review what was previously done. Establish whether the developments can be made to comply with bylaws. Those that cannot be repaired to comply should be demolished and if the developers wish, they start construction works a fresh. This exercise can only be carried by an independent body that will have stakeholders from the building industry professionals, government, law enforcement and the developers. It must also be sanctioned from the highest levels of power, possibly by the president himself, so as to have the political will and backing that it deserves. This may be the only way we can have healthy and safe environments in which to live and work in.
The author is a practising architect.
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ADVERTORIAL
Crown Paints invests
USD 2.5 million in Kigali Paints has announced its entry into Rwanda with the establishment of an ultra-modern paint showroom in Kigali with a five year plan to invest about USD2.5million in the country. Rwanda now becomes the third country to host Crown Paints’ showrooms in East Africa as the paint maker also owns five other in Kenya and one in Tanzania. According to Crown Paints Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rakesh Rao, the company aims to transform the lives of Rwandese by creating more job opportunities and contributing to the country’s economic growth as it also aims to establish a paint factory in Rwanda. “We aim to recruit more customers and equip them with knowledge on our paints portfolio. There is a boom in the construction sector in Rwanda and consumer tastes are changing fast, with more people using texture and stone finishes,” said Mr. Rao. The opening of the showroom in Rwanda comes after Crown Paints opened a depot in Kigali six months ago. According to Mr. Rao the firm has full confidence in the Rwanda market and believes it’s the next frontier for its growth in the coming years. “With the rise in construction, Rwanda market has posed great opportunity for Crown Paints and we have gained a great level of stability in a short period. The market offers a lot of opportunity for quality paints,” he explained. The showroom will also serve customers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. Crown Paints has grown to become a company with an annual turnover of USD 61.2million and is now producing 2.3 Million litres of paint per month. Crown Paints specializes in decorative paints, automotive paints, coating, adhesives, flooring and niche paint brands such as Amourcoat, Silicon, Acryline, Flowcrete amongst others. Crown Paints Group has presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and now Rwanda. Crown Paints has put in place several initiatives geared to promoting use of quality products to ensure safety and long-life of buildings. The showrooms displays designer fashion finishes, textured finishes, waterproofing and construction chemicals from Pidilite. This year alone, Crown Paints Group has transformed lives of more than 10,000 pupils in Kenya through painting their classrooms and dormitories.
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ADVERTORIAL
PENETRON WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS by MAU WEST LTD At Mau West, we have specialized in waterproofing works for over 28 years. This experience has seen us become the region’s leading experts in water proofing technology and systems. We work closely with structural and civil consulting engineers and contractors to achieve permanently water tight structures. All our waterproofing works on new and old structures are covered by a ten year warranty on materials and workmanship. Through the years, we have prided ourselves in working with the best waterproofing systems and materials worldwide. Our zeal to produce only the best for our clients has seen us partner with Penetron International Ltd who have an extensive track record of over 3 decades in over 65 countries, including Kenya. The PENETRON SYSTEM is used to waterproof concrete and masonry water retaining structures like drinking water tanks and reservoirs, sewage and water treatment works, septic tanks, basements, tunnels, swimming pools, aquariums, concrete roofs, bathrooms, industrial installations and any concrete structures requiring protection from water or aggressive chemicals. Penetron products waterproofing effects are achieved by the reaction of various chemical components contained in the solution when combined within the concrete matrix in the presence of water. This reaction produces a microscopic non-soluble crystalline formation that completely seals the capillaries and cracks of up to 0.4mm wide in the concrete thus driving out moisture. The compound penetrates deep into the capillary tracks of the concrete by pressure of osmosis, enabling the process to work with or against the pressure of water. As long as moisture remains present, the crystals continue to grow, and the same chemical reaction occurs even if the exposure to water happens years after the PENETRON WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS was installed. This ability to reactivate in the presence of water gives PENETRON treated concrete ability to self heal, and this helps to dramatically reduce the long-term maintenance and repair costs..
Benefits • PENETRON crystalline waterproofing does not require protection like the traditional membrane installations. It cannot be damaged or torn during backfill, it does not delaminate, decompose, wear off or deteriorate over time. • The PENETRON SYSTEM is easy to use and is cost effective • It is safe and has been certified for use with portable water tanks. • It stops corrosion and protects concrete against chemical attack (PH 3-11) carbonation, chloride penetration and other detrimental effects. • It provides a solution that is effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly. • It is not compromised by poor site conditions and can be applied in damp conditions and green concrete. • It is completely effective against high hydrostatic head pressure of 156.78m head water pressure ( 16 bar, 1.54Mpa) • It permits concrete to breath, eliminating water vapour buildup and leaving concrete completely dry. Engineers, Contractors and Developers should always remember that although concrete is hard and dense, it is a porous material, which makes it highly susceptible to damage and deterioration from water and chemical penetration. PENETRON INTEGRAL CAPILLARY CONCRETE WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS is therefore the best choice in concrete waterproofing and protection. Mau West is the official representative of the Penetron System within the East Africa Region. We maintain an open door policy and offer consultation and free quotations.
PENETRON products are PENETRON which is applied as a slurry coat on existing concrete, PENETRON ADMIX which is an Integral Admixture for new concrete and PENETRON PLUS which is a dry shake powder for new horizontal concrete. PENETRON ADMIX - the Integral admixture has gained popularity in recent years and it has the benefit of ensuring that the crystalline formation occurs uniformly through-out the concrete. The PENETRON repair system consists of PENEPLUG for stopping active leaks and PENECRETE MORTAR for patching and filling holes and cracks.
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GROHE - At The Top in German Sustainability Awards Resource efficiency is central to company management
Grohe AG, a world-leading supplier of sanitary faucets and fittings, is among the top three winners of the 2014 German Sustainability Award. Thanks to its commitment to the responsible use of water and energy, GROHE was one of three companies nominated for the ‘Resource Efficiency’ special award, which was presented, together with other prizes, in Düsseldorf on November 28. GROHE is renowned for its unique innovations that allow users to reduce their water and energy consumption. Integrated into the company’s faucets, showers, thermostats and sanitary systems, watersaving technologies such as GROHE EcoJoy® can help a family of four save up to 63,000 litres of water and 1,300 kilowatt hours of energy per year. The manufacturer of sanitary products and systems is also committed to resource efficiency in its own production facilities, which boast high recycling ratios. Committed to Sustainability At the award event, Michael Rauterkus, member of the Management Board of Grohe AG & now its newlyappointed CEO said: “Unfortunately, sustainability is still not something that can be taken for granted in our society but at GROHE it has been firmly rooted in our structures and processes for many years. Sustainability is embraced by all our employees. Being among the top three winners of the German Sustainability Award will encourage us to continue to think ahead and to drive resource efficiency in our line of industry.” The German Sustainability Award is an initiative of the StiftungDeutscherNachhaltigkeitspreise .V. in conjunction with the federal government, the umbrella organisations of municipal and local authorities, confederations of business and industry,
civil society organisations and research institutions. Global standards for quality, protection and health & safety
environmental
At GROHE, sustainability starts at the outset, namely when the very first idea for a new product is conceived. The concept of sustainability is not only integral to product development and manufacturing but to the entire lifecycle of the product right through to recycling after its useful life has been completed. All GROHE manufacturing sites are subject to consistent standards of quality, environmental protection and health and safety. These standards are mandated by the company’s corporate centre and compliance is regularly audited by internal and external experts. All production sites are certified to the standards for quality management (ISO 9001), environmental protection (ISO 14001) as well as health and safety (OHSAS 18001). All GROHE production processes are geared to the highest possible levels of sustainability and environmental protection. The focus is on energy and resource efficiency, waste avoidance and high recycling rates, minimised water consumption and climate protection. To ensure the best possible outcomes in all areas, GROHE often goes the extra mile, as is reflected in the three central smelting plants which allow the company to develop its own formulations for new materials and alloys. This is where GROHE Zero was created, the brass material with a lead content of less than 0.2 percent. Every year the central smelting plant in Hemer processes some five million kilogrammes of brass, including some 30 percent recycled material. By recycling waste water and waste energy back into the processes, GROHE achieves important savings of water and energy, two vital resources.
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LANDSCAPE
Disambiguation. What is....? Landscape Architecture/Landscaping/ Landscaper/ Gardener/ landscape designer/ Landscape Architect/ Peter Kanyi The field of landscape architecture in Kenya is just coming to be. For long, architects have proposed planting schemes for the clients while most clients did it for themselves. The idea was to lay a huge carpet of lawns, throw a tree here, another one there, and the project was landscaped. Trained landscape architects found very little space for their expertise, most choosing to become what one would call ‘gardeners’, as they went into implementation of landscaping projects and thereby, adding in their expertise in design. Projects have however grown in complexity and clients demand more in terms of results. Landscape architects have had to come in to release the architects to work more on the building. The art of landscaping has also transformed over time. Clients would want to see plants that would take ages to grow in their gardens immediately they move into their houses. Intricate features like waterfalls, lit pathways, etc are common demands. While the term ‘Landscape Architecture’ may not be new to many of you, I thought it wise to take you through what it is all about as a good starting point to the interactions we will be having in the coming editions of the magazine. In any profession there are various levels of experience and training, and the landscape design field is no
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exception. Unfortunately there is more confusion in this field than in any other because not everyone knows the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect nor what either of them does specifically. Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land. It is intended to provide overall aesthetically pleasing appearance for the community. Successful landscaping requires knowledge of both plants and artistic design. A Landscaper is someone who earns a living by performing landscaping activities. He or she is also called a gardener and will be involved in the actual work of adjusting soil, placement of manure, installation of plants, trimming of hedges, mowing of grass and many other activities intended to improve and alter gardens. A Landscape designer is an individual who has some training and experience in the principles of landscape design, the capability of using these principles to translate a client’s wants and needs into a creative reality, the ability to graphically communicate the design and knowledge of plant material and soil behavior. He or she might not have undergone formal training. A Landscape architect is a person who has been trained to research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the
Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
LANDSCAPE
Work of a Landscape Architect – Visualization images of proposed student park and water feature. environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment. To become a landscape architect one has to obtain an accredited degree in landscape architecture program and have at least two years of recognized professional practice.
departments and Coordinate activities with other trade areas. He/She manages contracted projects including writing contracts, participate in tendering, evaluation of bids and selecting of landscaping contractors and leading cross-functional teams.
Landscape architects Identify and develop appropriate solutions regarding the quality and use of the environment and making designs and specifications of work and associated cost and material estimates to achieve them. They participate in planning for short and long range projects preparations, implementation and monitoring of work plans to achieve operational goals.
The landscape architect also inspects landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, approving quality of materials and work, and advising the management and construction personnel. They will supervise maintenance procedures and be responsible for the quality of the workmanship and the environmental outcome.
They plan, organize, schedule, direct and coordinate all the activities of both new landscaping and existing grounds keeping activities. They also monitor existing plantings and their conditions and specify methods to prepare and enhance soils on site to support healthy plants.
The author is a landscape architect and the director of Primescapes Ltd
The landscape architect is a member of the Project Development Team and participates in review processes and maintains effective communication with other
Work of a Landscape Architect – Layout Plan of a proposed Occasions garden Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke
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ARCHITRAVEL
PARIS
The world over, there are many countries whose culture and art for generations has resonated their architectural prowess, design and generally how they build both business and dwelling buildings. We will in our architravel adventures from time to time explore this interesting phenomenon in countries and cities which have refused to adopt contemporary architectural designs. By all counts and considerations the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) rank such countries, cities and sites as the most visited by tourists. One such country which boasts a very culture, arts, cuisine and architecture is France. Paris is the capital city situated in the northern region called IL-De-France or Paris region. This region is a true reflection of what France is all about and what she stands for here on earth.
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Ben Malasi
it to various parts of western Europe. Having such a long history means there is lots that can be said about Paris. Two most significant milestones I would like to mention here are the introduction of Christianity ( Parisians are mostly Roman Catholics ) and in the 1860s the city acquired its nickname ‘City of Lights’ as it was one of the first European cities to adopt gas street lighting whereby the boulevards and streets were illuminated by 56,000 gas lamps. Other events and milestones ranging from royalty, art, culture and war memories are recorded in various museums and especially the Louvre which is the most visited museum in the world.
Voila! Let’s venture into the City of Lights. Paris has a lot of influence on what happens around the world ranging from politics, culinary arts, fashion, sports, fine/ performing arts, culture and filming industry. The city has not been left out in the sector of unique architectural designs which we shall explore in coming paragraphs.
Paris is located in Ile-De-France Region, covers 105 sq km within its administrative limits with a population of 2.4 million. The Paris region which includes city, urban and metropolitan covers an area of about 12,000 sq km with a total population of close to 12.5 million people. Like other cities around the world whose influences reverberate across the globe, Paris has almost every country’s nationals represented in its demographics. European statistics put it at number five behind London, Berlin, Madrid and Rome.
The name Paris is derived from early inhabitants, the Celtic Parisii tribe. The city’s historical evolution is documented as far back as the 3rd Century BC. All these years the city’s lifeline has been Seine River, connecting
Paris has over the years been very keenly planned such that its socio-economic life just flows. Visitors from within France and abroad come by air, sea, rail and motorways (roads). The city has fourteen airports and
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ARCHITRAVEL
airstrips, with the notable ones being Paris-Charles De Gaule (one of the busiest airport in the world ) and Paris-Orly. For both citizens and visitors, Paris has a lot to offer – several big international companies have headquarters here, tourism activities are vibrant with on offer from monuments, famous hotels, cultural shows (painting and sculpture), education centres/facilities of excellence, religious activities, photography/cinema, sports, museums and lively theatre. The City of Lights will therefore dazzle anyone and particularly those with an architect’s eye since most of the activities and attractions mentioned are housed in some very awesome buildings. All along I believed that Eiffel Tower is what represents the architectural wonders of France. Wasn’t I right? In fact Notre Dame Cathedral is regarded as the fine example of French Gothic Architecture and a well known tourist attraction. Within Paris’ administrative boundaries the city also boasts of other hot sites with interesting architecture including the Louvre Pyramid, La Grande Arche de La Defense, Centres George Pompidou, the Arch de
Triomphe and the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Further out in urban and metropolis areas the following master pieces of architectural design should be a must for visitors: Picardy – north of Paris Loire Valley Versailles – 30 minutes from the centre of Paris. Chateau de Fontainebleau – situated in the heart of a seventeen thousand acres forest. The best time to visit Paris and France in general is during the warmer months of May to October. Should you wish to make a visit to France, kindly get in touch with us and we shall set up a package that will have you enjoy the culture, arts, cuisine and the architecture of France. The author is a tours and travel consultant and the MD of Zaruma Safaris Ltd. He can be reached through email on ben.malasi@zarumasafaris.com or telephone 0711996698.
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OPINION
Are you speaking Your Client’s Language? Richard Petrie
Imagine trying to sell your services in a foreign land where nobody understands what you are saying. No matter what you say the people just don’t understand. To make matters worse, unless you find a solution, you’ll starve. Luckily a Good Samaritan comes along and teaches you the local language. Armed with your new speaking skills, people suddenly understand you. They’re excited and motivated to buy from you. You become rich and wealthy and life becomes good again. When it comes to selling architectural services there are two languages, the client language and the architect language. All architects think they speak ‘client’ yet only a very few really do. Those who do, win deals they should never have won. They work on projects they love and have people flock to them even if they aren’t the best firm for the job. 99% of architects don’t know they can’t speak CLIENT. The problem is you architects know too much. The poor client is still trying to understand what ‘concept drawings’ are. Most clients do not really know exactly what architects do. Many of them are still struggling to spell the word ‘architecture’. This means that potential clients get confused and scared. Of course they don’t say anything as they don’t want to look dumb. Most prospects are like little children. People always buy with emotion and justify their choices using logic. When trying to win a project, the architect, probably using their architect’s language, would be talking about their 25 years experience, qualifications in BIM and other design software
and having worked on 15 or more projects similar to those of the prospects. Here is what the client could be thinking: • He/she seems very serious. He/she might get angry with me if I don’t understand what I am doing. • I don’t like his shirt – not very stylish for a designer. • I bet He/she is expensive, look at that leather bag. I wonder what the charges are per hour. Logical and technical speaking has its place, but it should be put in the BACK seat where it belongs. In the FRONT seat is the same language used by the most powerful influencers throughout history. It is the language that moves nations and inspires people to greater things. It is the language that appeals more to emotion than logical reasoning. Here is an example; Architect A walks into a potential client’s home and outlines his training, his experience and his firm’s portfolio hoping to win the job. The meeting finishes after 60 minutes. Architect A is the best person for the job. Later, Architect B walks into the same home, looks the wife in the eye, and says, ‘Have you ever walked into a home and had your heart go ‘WOW! this place is amazing, I love the feel of this place, I wish I could live in a place like this?’ The wife smiles and says, “yes!”. Architect B looks her in the eye again and says ‘I want to design a house for you that will make you feel that way, everyday, for the rest of your life.’ Who do you think won the commission?
About the author: Richard Petrie is a specialist trainer on marketing and one of the founder members of the Architects Marketing Academy.
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EVENT
SECPROTEC East Africa powered by Intersec security fair to make its début in July 2015 The Leading Security Exhibition and Conference for East Africa
SECPROTEC is the only established security exhibition in East and Central Africa that was first held at KICC in 2013. Leading suppliers meet buyers from different countries at this key industry event providing a vibrant showcase of contemporary equipment and latest technology. More than just a trade fair, SECPROTEC also includes matchmakings, seminars, round table discussions and lectures. The new cooperation between SECPROTEC East Africa and Intersec, the famous brand of world`s leading organizer Messe Frankfurt, has a huge impact on the East African security and protection technology market. Intersec is the world leading trade show for the security, safety and protection technology industry and partner of Messe Frankfurt! Having acquired a South African subsidiary with several events in the middle of this year, Messe Frankfurt is continuing to expand its portfolio in Africa. Trade & Fairs Consulting GmbH, planetfair GmbH + Co. KG, organizers of the only security trade fair in East Africa, and Messe Frankfurt are to come together to form a strategic partnership. As of 2015, the trade fair will be operating under the name “SECPROTEC East Africa powered by Intersec” for the first time. “By working together with Messe Frankfurt, we will be able to strengthen the international position of the trade fair in the long term and to assume a unique position in the East African security sector. We are very pleased to have an expert partner like Messe Frankfurt at our side with extensive experience organizing security trade fairs.” Says the CEO of Trade & Fairs, Skander Negasi.
Year among others. ESA was created to honor and generate industry-wide and peer recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and individuals from all over the world. For the third edition, companies and institutions from Asia, East & Central Africa as well as from Europe, North America, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates will be gathering yet again at the Expo which will take place at KICC between 9 and 11 of July 2015. Current equipment and future technologies for police service, border guard, immigration and prison service, customs, coast guard, special task forces, government intelligence and security services as well as fire departments and rescue services will be exhibited. This will cover all relevant products for internal security for literally all equipment groups - especially information and communications, vehicles and traffic control, personal and protection equipment, criminal science and forensic technology. SECPROTEC East Africa gives a full 360° view on the security market making it a must-visit event for all the industry professionals throughout the region. While security is a top-priority issue at all governmental levels in East Africa, SECPROTEC East Africa powered by Intersec offers manufacturers in the security sector direct access to East African markets and allows exhibitors and visitors alike a similar opportunity
This year, the Excellence Security Awards (ESA) program is also partnering with SECPROTEC. The program will be held concurrently with the fair on July 11th in the same venue, KICC. Some of the top categories to be awarded include Security Partnering Initiative of the Year, Systems Integrator of the Year & Security Guarding Company of the
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East and CEntral afriCa‘s lEading tradE fair for sECurity, ProtECtion and tEChnology
Securing East Africa‘s Future 9th – 11th July 2015 Security Trade Fair Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyatta International Conference Centre www.secproteceastafrica.com
REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF EAST AFRICA AFFAIRS, COMMERCE AND TOURISM
Buildesign Magazine | Issue No. 002/2015 | www.buildesign.co.ke Taking Care
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