Pursuit of Passion Architect James N. Gitoho
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Sacred Architecture - Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, South B Architravel Istanbul - The Transcontinental Capital of Empires Steel versus Concrete - Who Wins? Totally Concrete and BuildCon Trade Fairs 2015 1 www.buildesign.co.ke
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Jaquar showcases Innovation and Brilliance at the AAK Annual Convention 2015 Jaquar was among the key sponsors of the recent annual convention organized by the Architectural Association of Kenya that took place from 19th to 22nd of August at the Leisure Lodge Resort in Mombasa. The convention which was attended by eminent professionals and organizations with a global presence including captains of various segments of industries, university students and government officials from the Ministry of Land, Housing & Urban Development found Jaquar products at a single platform which fulfill the purpose of promoting ‘Bath Spread’ innovative and futuristic. They exhibited keen interest in the presentations on the company’s newly launched products such as Linea and Confluence & Rainjoy shower as well as the display of the Artize Ranges which comes in excellent designs. The responses from architects, government officials from National Construction Authority, Ministry of Land, Housing & Urban Development, National Housing Corporation & Housing Finance were a positive indication of the brand’s bright prospects. Successful execution of Jaquar’s projects in Kenya and the East African region contributed in generating more business. The facilitators, AAK, are of opinion to arrange such exhibitions every year involving Jaquar. 3
CONTENTS
CONTENTS 08
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BUILDING REVIEW Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, South B
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FEATURED ARCHITECT James N. Gitoho
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ENVIRONMENT Sustainable approaches for urban Landscape Architecture
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INTERIORS Where does architecture meet interior design?
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TECHNOLOGY Steel versus concrete, who wins?
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EDITORIAL
T
he Nairobi County government spent some Kshs. 50M in intensive beautification of the city in July ahead of the US President, Barrack Obama visit in Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2015. While the governor argued that the efforts were not just about the Obama visit but a well planned landscaping project, Kenyans on social media termed the actions as impulsive and largely criticized the grass which did not grow in time for Obama’s visit. Lack of an organized and harmonious fashion that will enhance, protect and promote the economic, ecological and aesthetic environment of the city has been a chronic problem in Nairobi. Every year, we accept raw sewage being dumped into the waterways of our nation’s capital and environmentally inefficient buildings popping on every corner of the town. Although it will take a strategic team effort to mitigate these thriving trends, installation of green infrastructure can help bring ‘nature’ back to the city. In our landscape architecture feature, we have explored sustainable approaches that landscape architects can explore on their part to reduce sewer overflows so that sewage no longer mixes with storm water and surges into water ways whilst keeping the city ecological and beautiful. In our regular building review, we have detailed the journey to restoration of the religious sanctity of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic church in South B, Nairobi. The breathtaking craft exhibited by Edon International is not
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only sacred but also an illustration of how affordable it is to develop a timeless social structure in Kenya. Commanding integrity for some of the most populous developments in the city is Architect James Gitoho who is also a director in one of the leading architectural firms in the region – TRIAD. Get to know more about his 33 year story of practice in the same firm in our architect’s profile feature. Our travel expert, Arch. Stephen Lutta is taking you to the city of Istanbul in Turkey. Learn about its history of architecture and the interesting places that are a must visit in your next trip. Kenya is fast becoming the preferred trade hub in Africa and more investors from around the world are wasting no time at this opportunity. Building and construction is a key sector that has influenced this trend. Architecture is at the forefront of Africa’s transforming built environment and it will be in the spotlight this October and November at the Totally Concrete and BuildCon expo consecutively. Find more details of both events in this copy. The Steel supremacy in modern construction seems to be the way of the future. We have an insightful review on this wake over the concrete viability. As always, this issue of BUILDesign Magazine is loaded with so much more comprehensive content about the products in the market and industry trends that has been carefully packaged to enrich your knowledge. We welcome your suggestions, questions and comments on info@architecturekenya. com Enjoy your read! Martin Tairo
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MAIN FEATURE
SACRED ARCHITECTURE – Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, South B
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efore December 1st 2000, “Our Lady Queen of Peace” Catholic Church was an edifice of distinction. It symbolized the presence and authority of God within its context and beyond. It was a landmark associated with decades of committed and faithful religious duty and service to a growing population of Catholics. On this fateful day, an incident that shook the religious establishment took place; the Church building was burnt down as a result of misdirected anger by some marauding youth. This was a great blow to the Catholics who through the parish Council and the Church management, embarked on a fundraising exercise aimed at reconstructing the building. The same year 2000, the client, “Our Lady Queen of Peace” parish, South B under the catholic diocese of Nairobi called out an open design competition to the firms who had designed churches before. The final group was four architectural firms, with Edon International as the only African architectural firm in the category hence emerging the winner. Brief The client wanted to depict peace in the design since the old building had been destroyed through violence. It was also in the interest of the client to increase capacity from 350 seats to 1,250 seats. Site Features It was debris. The roof was gone but some walls were still standing, the rest had been shattered by the fire. The architect decided to retain and rebuild on the original foundation. He thus extended it and turned it into his desired design. Challenges The size of the site was a major challenge as there was not enough space to build a large building. To maximize on the tight space, the ar-
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MAIN FEATURE
Site Layout Plan
chitect decided to design a double storey building such that the seating arrangement progresses upwards like a theatre. Below the sanctuary, is a chapel within the same space physically, a strategy that was applied to create more space for offices and other facilities. Another challenge was ensuring structurally strong huge spans across the chapel without support columns in the middle. The engineer designed space frames and trusses which hold together at the middle in the air like a pyramid. Design Concept The theme of peace is highlighted in a special way using the symbol of a dove. The church is designed to look like a flying dove with a cross on its beak. The form of the chapel is circular symbolizing unity and it’s located underneath one of
the “wings” of the dove giving a feeling of protection. A circular meeting room of a similar seating capacity has been provided in the semi-basement space under the second wing, creating a unique symmetry on either side of the main church entrance. The design approach was to restore “Our Lady Queen of Peace” church to an expanded and improved modern standard while retaining the salvaged floor slab and adding, giving due consideration to the small and tight church compound. The layout plan is designed to enhance the visual focus on the altar. The baptismal front is located at the main entrance as a constant reminder of the baptismal vows. The traditional theme of the African pot is emphasized in the shapes of the baptismal front and the supports to the altar and the two pulpits.
Project Data Client
OLQP Catholic Church
Architects/Project Managers
Edon Consultants International
Structural & Civil Engineers
Professional Consultants
Mechanical/Electrical Engineers
Associated Services Consultants
Quantity Surveyors
Gaikonsult
Main Contractor
Raw Construction
Stained Glass Sub-contractor
Iron Art Limited
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MAIN FEATURE
Ground Floor Plan
Cost & Materials To deliver within the client’s budget, the architect maximized on use of local materials which have been used in unique ways; masonry work involved pure machine cut stone from local quarries, the walls are cladded with local hard core stone on the outside giving it a very artistic outlook. A combination of stained glass, colored glass and clear glass grace the windows and, through the use of imagery and abstraction, help to express the overall themes of the design. Window frames are built of steel, the roofing was done with sand blasted iron sheets. There is granite tiling at the altar. The project cost was Kshs. 55 Million. Cost control was a major aspect of the project implementation, given the fact that it was funded from harambee contributions from the church congregation and other well wishers. Environmental feats The building is naturally ventilated; there are permanent vents on the elevation and the upper part of the roof, created to draw out heat
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that is generated inside the building. So when warm air rises to the top of the building, it escapes through the vents. On the walls, there are vents on the lower part of the building that clean up the system without need for air conditioning. On the acoustics, the architect created round and zigzag walls instead of straight walls, such that sound cannot hit the wall and reflect on a parallel wall echo because is created when there are parallel walls and sound bounces from one wall to another. On lighting, the architect located windows on recessed walls to allow adequate light into the building while shading them from direct sunlight. Project Significance The peace symbol was used to bridge the gap between hostile groups and bring together the community in a spirit of reconciliation. An illuminated image of “Our Lady Queen of Peace” has been placed under the “beak” of the “dove”. This is visible from considerable distances and stands out especially at night.
MAIN FEATURE
Part Basement Plan
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MAIN FEATURE
Elevation
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MAIN FEATURE
Accommodation/Capacity The church includes an auditorium seating approximately 1250 faithfuls, a peace chapel seating 40-50 people, a sacristy, reading room and meeting room with relevant servant spaces and adequate wet spaces for the congregation. The 1250 seating capacity has been achieved in a split level to avoid overshooting the permitted ground coverage. The lower level has a seating capacity of 750 people. The upper level, which is terraced and in two wings, can accommodate a total of 500 faithfuls. The building can accommodate approximately 1,250 persons in full capacity. Conclusion The iconic Catholic church building now serves as a spiritual and communal centre. Even though the neighborhood population has diverse backgrounds and beliefs, “Our Lady Queen of Peace� Catholic Church is used for mass and other spiritual services for its catholic congregation. It also provides social amenities to the surrounding community such as counseling and rehabilitation services for the underprivileged. It also promotes social interaction and integration through the promotion of extracurricular activities such as sports and drama festivals.
EVENT
World renowned architects pioneer aesthetic, efficient and sustainable cities in East Africa
E
ast Africa is home to over 130 million people and has projected growth rates of up to 6.7% by 2016, making it the fastest growing region in Africa. Shifting demographics see more people flocking to cities, and as cities densify it is imperative that urban development focus not only on housing and infrastructure delivery but also on the development of aesthetic, efficient and sustainable cities. Urban growth in sub-Saharan Africa is already double the world’s average at 3.6%. As demand exceeds supply for both housing and infrastructure, project owners are put under pressure to deliver building solutions that not only meet immediate needs but also remain durable and sustainable over the long term. It is the architect that brings vision and longevity to a structure, connecting it to a place so that it resonates into a culture. In this way architecture is at the forefront of Africa’s transforming built environment and will be in the spotlight this October at Totally Concrete East Africa. Totally Concrete East Africa, a platform designed to foster capacity building and project delivery in the localproperty marketplace, will unite some of the leading architectural pioneers
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defining the use of building materials, pushing the envelope for engineering in Africa and pioneering East Africa’s architectural awakening. Urko Sanchez, whose respectful and ecological style has come to resemble the traditional forms of Swahili architecture, will deliver a presentation on East African architecture, highlighting his belief that buildings should be rooted in the place where they are built. He will discuss simple structural elements, open courtyards and natural light, and integrating local materials into green technology. Thierry Bogaert, whose expertise lies in industrial architecture, will talk about increasing the industrial efficiency of concrete. He works at bringing together modern architecture, engineering, construction and technology using high-strength concrete to produce leaner structures, achieve cost savings and provide more usable space. Of the plant of the future, Bogaert says, “It is both logical and appropriate to think of an industrial plant as a City within a City. The original master plan for an industrial site is no different from any other urban plan. Sooner or later, industrial plants will be incorporated into the unavoidable urban development we see right around the world.” Totally Concrete East Africa not only places a spotlight on architecture in the region, it also unites leading industry stakeholders such as Kenya Vision 2030, National Construction Authority of Kenya, East African Cement Producers Association, and theNational Construction Council of Tanzania to provide a collaborative platform in which public and private sector meet and bolster collaboration for construction projects and infrastructure delivery across the region. Sponsored by ARM Cement, Bamburi Cement and Tata Africa and supported by more than 25 association and media partners, Totally Concrete East Africa unites the entire cement, construction and property development industry value chain to raise levels of productivity and competitiveness, accelerate structural transformation and make the shift toward an inclusive, sustainable growth path in East Africa and beyond.
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INDUSTRY
What the hell is wrong with Architecture? Being young in the profession Eric Loki
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ne of the greatest fathers of modern architecture, Alvar Aalto, acquired his work experience under the architect Salervo, who advised young Alvar that he would never make a good architect, but said ‘Go ahead and try becoming a newspaper editor’. As a young practicing architect, my day is filled with some very exciting moments on the drawing table (frankly ...on my computer), on site supervising construction, with clients or in consultants meetings. Six years since graduating from architecture school, I have come to
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respect the importance of work experience. I am also left with absolutely no doubt that the whole idea of ‘experience’ is overrated. I joined the construction industry with high expectations of the people who had gone before me and even though I have met some very brilliant minds, our industry has largely been nothing but disappointing. Some ‘senior’ members of the profession turned out to be mere cons, with absolutely no drive at all or even the ability to carry out good design. The problem is: these are the people building everything in town! Just look at the newest not so inspiring buildings in town: their recognized ‘architects’ seem to have one common qualification: 20, 30, 40 years of
INDUSTRY
experience. We all know of the great American architect Louis Khan who only made his mark at 50 leading many to believe that architecture begins at that age but the idea of me waiting to age 50 years in order to design the best building in town seems absurd. Sadly the fact is: my colleagues, very brilliant minds by the way, venturing on their own in their 30s seem to be building only for the ‘Mpesa clients’. In the so called developed world, things have not been any different: In the 1980s, 7% of France’s 13,000 architects were in charge of 90 percent of the nation’s building design — a statistic which may help to explain why young firms are building very little. A recent UK’s RIBA survey shows that 53% of the surveyed practices are “micro”, employing 10% of the total staff. 23% are “small”. A further 20% are in the mid-range of between 10 and 50 staff, with only 3% being “large”, but employing 40% of all the staff. This is the first conundrum: most practices are tiny, but most of the profession is employed by a few very large practices. The surveyed practices have a combined income of £1.58bn. Almost 50% of this is earned by the 3% of large firms. Micro and small practices, which make up more than three quarters of the total, account for only 17% of this income. One of the reasons for this exclusivity in our profession is the ‹approval› procedure developers, both private and government, use to select their architects. An architect is retained only if
they are recognized from their previous work, enjoying an almost exclusive position even though his work may be only signing work done by employees. Way forward Competitions among architects must be made obligatory whenever possible to allow for fairness in our industry. This will, without any doubt, lead to fresh ideas. In addition, all architectural work documentation (drawings etc) should recognize the efforts of all those involved in the work, the young included. This way, young architects who are serious about their intentions in the profession will always have something to build on. Whichever part of the profession’s ‘age pyramid’ you fall in, we all must be client-focused and run efficient businesses, maintaining professional integrity and standards. All architects must not only strive for good design but also to promote the value of architecture, and this I strongly believe must always include encouraging young professionals to take the lead. Eric Loki is a practicing architect Mphil. (Environmental Design in Architecture) Cambridge, B.Arch (Hons) Nairobi, LEED (Green Associate) MAAK (ED)
PROFILE
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PROFILE
PURSUIT OF PASSION – Architect James N. Gitoho
J
ames N Gitoho is an architect and urbanist behind some of the most outstanding buildings making up the Nairobi Skyline. He currently serves as a senior architect and a director at TRIAD architects, a position he has held since completing his Bachelors of Architecture, (B. Arch.) degree from the University of Nairobi in 1981. Before Joining University of Nairobi, James attended Pumwani Primary School, Nairobi Technical high school (currently the Nairobi Technical Institute) for his secondary education and was later admitted at the Jamhuri High school where he did his A-Levels. James is a born architect with his artistry deeply embedded in all the buildings he designs “I always had a sense of the environment, detail and the passion for the built environment. Growing up I enjoyed outdoor activities and was a boy scout in primary school; building and construction was part of my upbringing together with my brothers who are now structural engineers,” James explains. TRIAD Architects, he says, was a natural progression “I remember meeting the lateArch. Daniel Mutiso, who was one of the TRIAD directors and an external examiner at the university, at the campus car park. At the time, I was busy looking for a job, our brief interchange turned out to be an interview and my entry into TRIAD. Today, 34 years later, I am certain that it is the best decision I ever made. TRIAD has become a part of me,” James adds. With all architecture accolades he has amassed, it is impossible to believe that his first career choice was mechanical engineering. While at Nairobi Technical School he desired to be an aeronautical engineer. James would later apply for both engineering and architecture only to be accepted to pursue the latter. “After joining campus I was set on changing to the engineering Faculty and I planned to go to meet the Dean but as fate would have it, I found a very long queue and by lunch break I had not yet been allowed in. The same afternoon I attended induction at the Faculty of Architecture and I chose to continue with the program. Today, looking back I believe that it was nature’s way of leading me to the right decision, the opportunities that followed for internship at Mutiso Menezes International and the Ministry of Works only cemented the path I had come to love, Architecture” James reiterates. With an outstanding foundation at the University of Nairobi and aggressive mentorship at TRIAD, James rose up the ranks in
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PROFILE
Mpata Club- Masai Mara Game Reserve the firm steadily. Seven years into the firm and at the age of 32 years, James was invited to join the partnership. In the same year, a design competition for the now Barclays Plaza building was called and TRIAD was amongst the four firms invited to participate. James was the partner in charge and his design concept was selected and TRIAD commissioned. “Barclays Plaza was the stamp of acceptance I needed in the industry at the time. I built it as an environmentally friendly, handicap accessible unit, a first of its kind in Kenya. 23 years later, it still stands iconic, a defining part of Nairobi and a great source of pride for TRIAD and great tribute to our directors at the time including the late Daniel Mutiso, David Bristow and Tim Vaulkhard,” James says. James’ notable work has been described as futuristic, unconventional, daring and artistic which includes the Times Tower Building, Sarova Mara Game Lodge in Maasai Mara, William Holden Wildlife Centre in Nanyuki, Murang’a & Narok Teachers Training Colleges, 40 branches of Kenya Commercial Bank, (KCB); refurbishment and extensions to clinics in the Rift Valley, a number of Barclays Bank of Kenya branches across the country and the Ruwenzori House (Uganda). Most recently James has championed the
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building of CFC Bank headquarters along Chiromo Road, Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) headquarters and Deloitte Place. Currently, James and his team are working on the Garden City project and the UAP Tower in Upper hill among others. The 33 storey building is set to be the tallest building in the country. Its execution has also seen the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority policy on heights of buildings in Upper hill area change from 36 meters to 360m. This coupled with enhanced plot ratios has seen the emergence of designs of 40 to 60 storey towers (yet to be built). “Our building codes and regulations are outdated and we have to refer to international best practice, and either the British or American codes. “I always wanted to be involved in design of projects that resonate with people’s welfare e.g. schools & hospitals. I especially appreciated rural projects away from Nairobi’s concrete jungle. I have found that most government led projects needed more documentation and processes absent in the private sector. My career has been fueled by the incredible support and mentorship offered by our management team including Mutiso’s business shrewdness and client interaction, Tim’s financial prowess and David’s sensitivity to design,” James notes.
PROFILE
Times Tower James work matched with TRIAD’s vision to build legendary architects led to his inaugural accolade at the prestigious commonwealth scholarship award in 1991 - an award scheme aimed at creating a commonwealth understanding within the commonwealth countries. As a good will ambassador, he traveled to England with twelve other recipients of the scholarship to learn about the workings of the Commonwealth, they were hosted by the Queen as the head of the commonwealth and commissioned to go out to commonwealth countries in the pacific to promote the ethos of the association. “TRIAD is amongst the few firms in the industry that has a definite succession plan. The partners span the four generations with an 8 to 10 year cycle. My appointment as a Director in the firm encouraged me to invest my time in the firm to date. Industry performance will be guided by individual recognition with the firm, the kind that will push them to become better in the field,” says James. James passion for order, integrity and professionalism led to the certification of TRIAD as an ISO 9001-2008 certified company since 2001. His passion for building sustainable communities saw the launch of the TRIAD foundation in 2013 during the firm’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. The Foundation organizes annual golf tournament to raise funds to help in community projects. So far, the beneficiaries have been the renovations of the Gertrude’s Children Hospital prayer room and Muthaiga Primary School ablution block. This year, the TRIAD Foundation will fund the renovation of Martin Luther Primary School’s
Barclays Plaza
CFC Centre 21
PROFILE
Deloitte Headquarters classroom for the hearing impaired children. To bring up capable, innovative and ground breaking architects of the future, James proposes a Government, Industry and Institutional partnership. Under this partnership the institutions will open up to the industry players to mentor and critic the students, the government would support the instructions in course delivery and jobs creation through the Ministry of Infrastructure. Additionally, institutions could partner with practicing firms to instigate and implement research projects for the betterment of the entire architecture industry. “Architecture as a field is definitely better more enjoyable and I dare say easier today especially with the inclusion of technology assisted design. During our time we had fewer schools, lecturers and even less practicing architects to mentor us. This has since changed; students have a pool of knowledge to draw from. My advice to upcoming architects; open up to opportunities today, utilize technology in a way that does not hinder your creativity and utilize the mentors available to you in the industry.” James says. James’ works is shaped by advice he received during his university studies from Arch. Mehraz Ehsani who said “every line you draw is in three dimensions. It either represents a wall, a piece of glass or a window frame. There is not just a line in drawing. And every design you make should solve a problem. Does the need you meet come with an added advantage?” James also remembers words of their
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landscape professor, Fredrick Ludigras. He said, “Every time you put up a building remember, you have changed the face of the earth. So are you improving it or are you destroying it?” Crowding buildings with poor infrastructure and lack of a sewer system is like creating a slum. Slums are not just buildings in mud, but also concrete buildings with no life. A building must also address environmental considerations of its location. A good design meets the requirements of the client and the needs of the user. Time, money and quality are key.” After working for over 30 years at TRIAD, James is at the prime of his career and his greatest desire in the next decade before retirement is to see TRIAD operate in the larger Africa and beyond delivering at international capacity. He sees international architects entrance into the market as a good challenge in raising the architectural standards in the country. “Rising up the architectural industry in Kenya has required handwork, dedication and passion. I built this legacy alongside my wife, two children and two grandchildren. I am proud to have been present for my family’s growth even orchestrated the rise of TRIAD. I look forward to the future while celebrating the achievements I have under my belt, tomorrow will be better” James concludes.
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INTERIORS
Architecture and interior design – The Meeting Point Alex Henderson
T
here is no clear line where architecture stops and interior design starts, in fact the two disciplines cooperate – and sometimes argue – with each other from the beginning to the end of a project. Thinking of architecture as the exterior of the building and interior design as the inside is oversimplifying their roles. Their exact relationship and roles are difficult to define without reference to their particular field of expertise, but it can be generally agreed that when an architect is finished with the shell of the building, it is handed over to an interior designer to complete the interior spaces. Until fairly recently, the architect took on the responsibility of the finishing of the interiors, and this can be seen in the number of archi-
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tectural firms that still offer interior design services. However, with changing demands for jobs and higher client expectations, coupled with increased volumes of work and production requirements, architects have found it challenging to keep up the demands of dealing with the main structure while at the same time detailing the nitty gritty details of the interior spaces. The interior designer has thus come in handy to take up that element which would have otherwise suffered due to the changing demands of the industry. With time, the roles of an architect have come to be defined with the main structure/shell of the building in mind. The interior designer has come to look at the interior space, the walls, floors and ceilings and also the space utilization. Differentiation between the expectation of
INTERIORS
and equipment), graphics and fabrics. Time and budget allowing, some interior designers will do actual furniture design and tackle much of the specification for the internal spaces. The interior architect should therefore be seen more as an interior designer that has taken on some of the issues of an architect – such as initial plans and finishes – rather than an architect who is dealing with the interior design scope. Interior designers should be brought into the project at a very early stage, if possible, during the design of the main building. At this level, they are able to advise on their points of intervention and what aspects they require the architect to consider as they work on the main building. At this point, issues like ceiling heights, ducts, beams, columns, etc, which may have impact on the interior design of the space can be agreed upon by both the architect and interior designer. This way, very little alliterations may have to be made during the fitting out, saving time and costs. Ultimately the person that decides how much or how little these two professions work together is in the hands of the client. To do so they must understand the nuances of each role, as well as the flexibility and overlap that exist between them. The author is the Business Development Manager at Planning Interiors Ltd. He can be reached via alex@ planninginteriors.com.
an architect and interior designer has become more commonplace recently for a number of reasons, such as higher client demands for specialization and multi-purpose buildings that have different types of tenants. An office block that is designed to house many different businesses – each with their own brand to adhere to – is likely to have several different interior designers working on the interiors. The main challenge that interior designers face when dealing with the architecture of a building is a lack of freedom, both in the form of the limitations of space in which to work as well as the base building services. Interior designers can erect partitions to change the layout of a room, but they are limited in their efforts when it comes to dealing with challenges like a specified low ceiling height which limits the level of intervention they could have on the ceiling. Architects can also protective of changes to their buildings, especially if the alterations are to the façade of the property. Interior architects specialize in several areas, such as FF&E (furniture, fixtures
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ADVERTORIAL
Crown Paints strives to provide innovative products that meet customer needs Mr. Gosavi believes in listening to the market and bringing forth the best solutions through innovative products which are relevant and engaging to the users.
N
ilesh Gosavi goes by the mantra; ‘if planning is done right, the execution will be flawless.’ His belief in getting the planning process right and adding passion to the execution is what drives him as he oversees the double dockets of marketing and product development. Mr. Gosavi is the Crown Paints Product Manager, and doubles up as the Group Marketing Head, having taken up the role in July. His role as the product manager, he says, prepared him to fit perfectly into the role of Group Marketing Head. “Resources are finite, and the proper allocation of resources to achieve the maximum results is what separates mindless execution from strategic marketing. At Crown Paints, we are expanding our wings to other countries and the challenge is to optimise the resources for maximum output,” asserts Mr. Gosavi. As the product manager, up to 80% of his time is spent with the marketers since he has to ensure that they take the right product message to the consumers. Mr. Gosavi comes in as the Group Marketing Head at a time when the East African market is growing in buying power, and with an inclination towards products and services that meet their needs. The diversity of consumers and markets within East Africa is staggering, but it presents tremendous opportunities for those who properly understand and navigate this complex marketplace. “Marketing and promotional activities are essential when entering a region or expanding brand presence, as we are doing with our East African expansion. It is a challenge to marketers to ensure we deliver messages and introduce products that resonate with our customers’ needs,” reiterates Mr. Gosavi. Every product communication going out for both belowthe-line and above-the-line advertising has to go through him. It is during this process where Mr. Gosavi ensures that his mantra is put into action. “Once the right message goes out about the product, we are in a position to build top of mind awareness in the industry and also enable the end user make an informed purchasing decision,” he adds. According to a survey done by Nielsen Holdings, a
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leading global information and measurement company present in 100 countries, in 2014, Crown Paints has the highest Top of Mind Awareness & most favourite as a paint brand and across the East African region. “Our Brand Equity Index (BEI) is 5.4. Other companies that have a BEI above 5 include global companies like Coca-Cola, Sony, Canon, Nivea, Heineken and Nescafe,” notes Mr. Gosavi. To take the company’s brand image to the next level, the Product Manager says Crown Paints is keen on the growing digital platform. The digital marketing service is being driven through mediums like Facebook, YouTube and E-mail marketing. These platforms, mostly used by the young people will also help in starting conversations about quality paints and grow our brand awareness among this demographic. In turn our social media presence will boost & influence the buying decisions of young customers. Crown Paints recently launched the very innovative and user friendly colour app which makes it easier for the end user to select beautiful colours for their homes or clients, as well as providing them with route map of Crown Paints business associates across region. And as Brushstrokes celebrates its tenth edition, Mr. Gosavi has a message for the consumers, “I believe in listening to the market and bringing forth the best solutions through innovative products which are relevant and engaging to the users. We are aware that today’s customer is intelligent; when making their choice on the paints to purchase, hence the reason we continue investing in product and customer experience improvement as well as introducing new innovative products. Crown Paints does not just offer a product, we strive to offer solutions that meet our customer’s needs.” Read more about the Crown Paints strategic market approach in the 10th edition of Brushstrokes. Contact any Crown Paints dealer/showroom for your copy
www.crownpaints.co.ke
INTERIORS
THE ULTIMATE WOOD STAIN
Water resistant Termite resistant A variety of shades to choose from Better Protection from weather
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ENVIRONMENT
Sustainable approaches for urban Landscape Architecture - UGI Wendy Kinya
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here is no accepted definition of a sustainable city, and as it happens with the concept of sustainable development, many interpretations exist of which characteristics a city should present to be considered sustainable, and many are the criteria and indicators developed to assess them. They often include aspects of urban planning and community development. In this case, landscape architects have infinite opportunities to influence built and natural environments in the urban set up to offer more scenic views and conducive habitats to the people. When we think of landscapes, we tend to imagine wide-open vistas or dramatic mountains. But cities can be every bit as dramatic as the natural world and at least as dynamic. Not only do light and seasons change as in any landscape but the constant flow of people gives cities a serious buzz. People need to relax and step away from the hectic rhythm of the city within the city.
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Nairobi, especially, has a unique geography. Placed on a high altitude of 1661m above the sea level, the city experiences a subtropical highland climate hence the name ‘the green city in the sun’. Sustainable land design that enhances the natural features & the culture of the people can improve the quality of life in this city in a great way. Beside environmental criteria (water and energy saving, waste recycling, transportation, etc.), quality of life issues are central to the sustainability of a city. Aspects such as “amount of public green spaces per inhabitant”, “public parks” and “recreation areas” are important factors to make the city livable, pleasant and attractive for its citizens. Research shows that strategic implementation of urban green infrastructure (UGI) can help achieve temperature reductions in urban areas while delivering diverse additional benefits such as pollution reduction and biodiversity habitat. To maximize on the cooling benefits of UGI while keeping the city beautiful and sustainable, landscape architects should incorporate
ENVIRONMENT
the following green technologies and approaches in projects; 1.
Biofiltration swales Landscape architects can promote sustainability in urban areas through the use of “green” infrastructure techniques such as biofiltration swales. Comprised of grasses and durable plants, biofiltration swales are vegetated areas that remove pollutants from storm water runoff as it flows through the vegetation. The plants featured in a biofiltration swale can withstand the most extreme conditions, including extensive rain and severe heat. Biofiltration swales are designed specifically to treat storm water runoff for a specified water quality volume. The swales clean the runoff by naturally filtering out contaminants, which prevents polluted storm water from infiltrating local streams and wetlands. Some plants can even filter heavy metals from water, which is particularly useful in industrial areas. The storm water is also slowed down before it’s safely distributed to sewers for disposal. This helps reduce erosion and flooding. 2.
Pervious pavement Pervious pavement helps filter out the automobile oil, grease, and sediment that frequently accumulate in parking lots and streets, as well as other areas where vehicles are frequently found. After the storm water is filtered, it is absorbed back into the natural aquifers in the earth. Also, thanks to this filtration process, the storm water is released at a much slower rate than in a typical drainage infrastructure system. This ensures that a municipality’s sewer system will not be overwhelmed. Pervious pavement design keeps the ground warmer than traditionally paved roadways. 3.
Innovative Wall Garden
Innovative use of vegetation
i)
The green roof Also known as the living roof, the ‘green’ roof comprises of trees, shrubs, low-growth grasses, and sedums. During the day, roofs are some of the hottest surfaces in urban areas. Greening those roofs can greatly mitigate urban surface temperatures, as well as reducing air-space cooling requirement inside those buildings. Green roofs may be extensive, with thin substrates (2–20 cm) and a limited range of plants, or, where building structure is sufficiently strong, intensive, with a thicker substrate layer that can support
Green Roof
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ENVIRONMENT
Green Facade
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a wider range.“Green” roofs can cap just about any structure in a community although they thrive best on large, low buildings, or in areas with little ground level green open space. The vegetation on a “green” roof is drought tolerant, weed resistant, can withstand extreme temperatures, and do not need mowing. Modeling suggests that green roofs can cool at a neighborhood-scale if they cover a large area. To be effective, green roofs need to be irrigated and maintain a high leaf area index before they become comparable to the cooling provided by roofs painted with high albedo paint but their influence on cooling at street level will be low. Green roofs reduce surface temperatures best when they are covered in taller vegetation and and irrigated. Achieving a balance between maximizing cooling performance during hot summer conditions, whilst keeping plants alive in shallow soils with minimal irrigation is an ongoing research study. Green roofs however, have multiple benefits on urban surface cooling for human health benefits. They also help to control storm water runoff. They are also particularly useful in eliminating the risk of salt and other corrosives being introduced to the roof of a structure, improving outdoor air quality since the vegetation can trap dust and absorb carbon dioxide, and increasing biodiversity by creating a habitat for insects, birds, and butterflies. And the result is properties that not only better serve the public, but are better for the environment. i) The green façade Green façades are climbing plants grown up a wall directly or on a trellis or similar struc-
ture set away from the wall .Green façades can be planted in the ground or in planter boxes at any height up the walls of a building. As well as preventing heat gain to building walls, green façades can provide cooling through evapotranspiration. Unlike green walls, green façades are a realistic option for wide spread UGI implementation because of lower installation and maintenance costs. Green façades are particularly beneficial on walls with high solar exposure and where space at groundlevel is limited or where aerial obstructions limit tree growth. Dark colored walls should be prioritized for green façade covering over light colored walls, which do not become as hot. To benefit pedestrians, green façades should be installed adjacent to walkways. Vegetation, primarily grass with a relatively sparse (or absent) tree canopy in ornamental parks, sporting fields and golf courses improves the air quality, particularly during excessively hot weather. Air temperatures can be up to 20 degrees cooler beneath trees than in surrounding areas, a phenomenon in which a metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. Also, the leaves from various species of trees and shrubs can help improve air quality by removing dust and other particulates, as well as absorbing carbon dioxide. Increasing the total area of green open space may significantly reduce temperatures at the city scale. Depending on their design and irrigation regimes, urban green open spaces can potentially provide ‘islands’ of cool in hot urban areas. It is strongly believed that developing more sustainable cities is not just about improving the abiotic and biotic aspects of urban life, it is also about the social aspects of city life, that is—among others—about people’s satisfaction, experiences and perceptions of the quality of their everyday environments. More green space is linked to less stress. The consequent loss and degradation of urban and peri-urban green space could adversely affect ecosystems as well as human health and well-being. The whole green building movement is a goal landscape architects can help achieve. There needs to be an interdisciplinary effort to create voluntary national guidelines and rating system for sustainable land design, construction, and maintenance practices for landscapes of all types with or without buildings. The writer is an environmental and green design enthusiast. She can be reached via wendybuildesign@gmail.com
ARCHITRAVEL
The Transcontinental Capital of Empires - Istanbul By Stephen Lutta
T
here must be something magical about a place to make it so captivating and so relevant in history as well as in the present. Istanbul in Turkey, or Constantinople as it was once called is just such a place. Founded on the Sarayburnu promontory round 660 BCE as Byzantium, Istanbul is the largest European City and the worlds 5th largest by Population. In the year 2010 it was named a European Capital of Culture and receives around 12 million foreign visitors annually, making it the world’s 5th most popular tourist destination. Having served as the capital to the Roman (330-1204), Latin (1204-1261), Byzantine (12611453) and the Ottoman (1453-1922) Empires, the city’s biggest attraction is its historic Centre, rich with architectural gems and partially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Istanbul is both in Asia and Europe, and
straddles the Bosphorus Strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It is Turkey’s economic, cultural and historic center with the fastest growing urban metropolitan population of round 15 million.
The skyline of Istanbul from along the Bosphorus River that separates Europe and Asia.
Architecture of Istanbul The City with its long history as a capital to many different empires is a melting pot of culture and has developed over millennia with converging influences such as Phoenician, Roman, Anatolian, Slavic, Levantine, Genoese, Ottoman, Greek, Arabic & modern Turkish, all of which have left their indeliblemarks on the city’s culture and architecture. From the ancient Walls of Constantinople, built in the 5th century B.C.E. by the great Roman Emperor Theodosius, to the stunning Byzantine churches, glorious Ottoman mosques, and cutting-edge contemporary architecture, Istanbul is home to a diversity of architectural styles.
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ARCHITRAVEL
The Blue Mosque
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Byzantine Architecture Probably the most famous style of Istanbul architecture, it stems from the period when the city was known as Byzantium. It was renamed Constantinople by Roman Emperor Constantine in 330 B.C.E. Because Constantinople served as the new capital of the Roman Empire, Eastern and Western traditions were carried in from across the Empire and combined into an amalgam known henceforth as Byzantine architecture. This style carried on through the Byzantine Empire and into the Middle Ages. Most extant examples of Byzantine architecture are found in ecclesiastical buildings. Byzantine architecture features characteristics such as square-shaped, central-plan churches, high central domes often accompanied by half-dome pillars known as pendentives, mosaic decorations, clerestory windows above eye level designed to bring in fresh air and light, decorative impost blocks and experimental building methods. Prime examples of Byzantine architecture include the 6th-century Basilica Cistern (also referred to as the Sunken Palace), Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, and of course the great Haggia Sophia – a crowning masterpiece of the style that has, since its dedication in 360, served as a Greek patriarchal cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral, an Ottoman-era mosque, and a museum.
Ottoman Architecture Istanbul’s placement as an imperial center guaranteed its rich display of exquisitely preserved palaces, which offer fascinating insight into the opulent lifestyles of the rulers along with their royal courts and harems. The most stunning example of Ottoman architecture is unquestionably theTopkapi Palace, named in 1985 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For four centuries, until the sultans migrated to estates along the Bosporus in the mid-19th century, the Topkapi was the center of the massive empire. The palace grounds include several buildings, numerous courtyards, the famed and extensive harem quarters, and enormous kitchens that could serve over 6,000 meals per day. All feature the typical Ottoman harmony between exterior and interior spaces, huge but elegant domes, articulated light and shadow, elegant arches and pillars, prominent artistic treasures and intricate murals. Avant-Garde Architecture Although Istanbul architecture is mostly known for its preservation and conversion of old buildings, the city’s modern works cannot be ignored. These include the Kanyon Center, the Istanbul Sapphire, and the still-under-construction Diamond. The Kanyon Center lives up
ARCHITRAVEL
to its name. The modern metal-and-glass complex winds through downtown like a canyon, and within it lies an innovative setup of offices, residences, and a shopping complex. The Sapphire is a 54-floor ecological skyscraper located in the Levent business district. It is Istanbul’s tallest skyscraper and one of Europe’s largest. And its sister gem, the Diamond, which is currently under construction, is slated to include three massive vertical wings over a central core in its radical design. Attractions of Istanbul Some of the best places to see when in Istanbul, both of architectural interest as well as of touristic interest include: Haggia Sofia (Aya Sofia), Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cisterns, The Hippodrome, Istanbul archeology Museum, The Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Chora Church, Yedikule Fortress, Galata tower, Take a Bosphorus Cruise, The Princes Islands, Takçim Square, Istanbul Historical Centre walk, Üsküdar, The Kanyon Centre, The Sapphire and Turk Telekom Arena -Galatasaray FC. Just 7 hours by flight from Nairobi, Istanbul is definitely a place worth visiting. A range of spectacular architecture is just one of the rea-
sons to discover why it is the hottest destination in Europe. Plan a trip today & experience the wonder and beauty of this city for yourself!
The Basilica Cisterns
The author is a graduate architect & a travel consultant with The Africana Travel Company. info@africanatravel.co.ke
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TECHNOLOGY
Steel versus Concrete: Who Wins? Arch. Martin Tairo Maseghe
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An artistic impressions of 1. UAP Towers undergoing finishing works in Upper Hill 2. BRITAM Towers currently under construction in Upper Hill 3. Sifa Towers in Kilimani built of Structural Steel
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K
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enya’s capital city is matching up to other cities of the world. The country is looking up to the sky for more space to accommodate the swelling city whose population has been forecast to rise in the coming years, putting more pressure on the available infrastructure and accommodation spaces. Major high-rise projects are in the offing. UAP is currently installing finishes in its headquarters in Upper Hill, a gigantic 33 storey building. Britam are also right on the trail of UAP, with its 31 storey glass tower set to be completed in 2016. The latest entrant into the filed is Avic International, a Chinese company that is planning to set up a multibillion shilling hub in Westlands Nairobi. Part of it will be a 44 floor building set to be the tallest building, so far. In the midst of this maze is the type of construction materials and technologies to be used to enable developers go higher, give more possibilities in design, maintain high standards of safety and still lie within reasonable budgets, a factor that has remained critical in the construction sector in this part of the world.
3 Before modern engineering and the ability to manipulate concrete and steel, the world of architecture consisted of wood, thatch and cave dwellings. Things have greatly transformed with the development and continued use of steel and concrete. We would particularly look at Structural Steel as a building technology and Reinforced Concrete, which is still a mix of concrete and reinforcement steel, as a different building approach for high-rise structures. Safety The aspect of safety in buildings, and highrise buildings for that matter, will always be discussed with the 9/11 terrorist attack in mind. This is relevant to our part of the world as we had faced a similar plight, although in a different form, back in 1998 with the bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi. The collapse of the World Trade Centre towers was blamed on the reduced structural integrity of the steel, as a result of the very high temperatures created by the burning jet fuel. Research has proven that concrete has outstanding resistance to impact and explosions over and above having the ability to endure very high temperatures over a long duration without
TECHNOLOGY
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TECHNOLOGY
4
5 4. 5.
AVIC Hub to be built along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi. World Trade Center which collapsed due to structural failure linked to the use of steel in its construction
losing structural integrity. Experts acknowledge that steel can soften and melt if exposed to extremely high temperatures over long durations of time. However, with the addition of passive fire protection, such as spray on fireproofing, buildings built of structural steel can sustain greater temperatures and therefore provide additional safety. Cost Cost of construction is a major element in developments. This has in many instances caused projects not to take off or to be reviewed downwards in an attempt to fit within set budgets. In the midst of this is the cost of the structure, which is largely a resultant of the type
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of structure used in the construction. In an exercise we recently undertook in a project we are working, the engineer prepared two separate designs, one with a structural steel frame and another of reinforced concrete frame. The estimates, and subsequent quotations received had a much higher pricing for structural steel. Our case was unique and may not apply in all projects. The quantities involved were small and thus, there was no advantage of economies of scale for the structural steel. One would however argue that the same economies would apply for reinforced concrete, which is accurate. It is however important to note that we had no opportunity to source for prices from foreign suppliers, especially in China, who are said to be fast, effective and most important, cost effective. On this matter of cost, it will therefore be important to analyze on a project by project basis and consider all available options in order to get a more accurate reading on which construction mode between structural steel and reinforced concrete is more cost effective. Material Availability Availability of reinforced concrete would largely be dependent of cement, a key binding material in the mixture. Kenya has over the years manufactured adequate cement to supply the local and even regional sector. A number of new players have also joined the cement manufacturing sector. Availability of steel has been subject to more than a few conversations lately, with mentions
EVENT
of ever expanding construction activity in Asian countries like China. However, experts in the steel industry are quick to dispel the myth that there isn’t enough steel to go around. Construction Scheduling The old adage that ‘time is money’ was never more true than when talking about construction schedules. Building in concrete can be fast, especially with advancement in technology that enables rapid curing of concrete while it still maintains its strength. This is even made better by the possibility of outsourcing the cement mixing to specialist companies that bring in the concrete ‘ready mix’ in trucks to pump it on to the structure quite fast. Structural steel could also be fast, if not faster than reinforced concrete. It is however argued that if you consider the fabrication timelines, concrete emerges as more time efficient. In more developed parts of the world, the advancement in building information modeling has integrated the design, detailing and fabrication of steel which has resulted in an accelerated process. This could be the way of the future.
you can shape anything out of it. Structural steel on the other hand has the highest strength to weight ratio compared to other construction materials. Steel can accomplish extremely long spans and very open footprints with minimal columns for support. On the possibilities, it mainly depends on what you wish to achieve. Both modes have their strong and weak points. Conclusion There may be no clear winner in an academic duel between structural steel and reinforced concrete. In reality, however, concrete would win hands down, at least for the moment, for historical reasons and the fact that we are mostly used to it. Steel however seems to be the way of the future. Several buildings have come up in Nairobi purely built of structural steel. Many more are being proposed. Structural engineers are spending more time looking into the possibilities of steel buildings and making the designs more cost effective. In the end, however, it will be dependent on what you want to do and what can do it best. The author is a practicing architect based in Nairobi. He can be reached through tairo@ architecturekenya.com.
Design Possibilities Concrete buildings can take many different shapes. Concrete seeks the form and therefore Follow the discussions online facebook.com/BUILDesignKE
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OPINION
Civic Spaces & Places Arch. Steve Ted Gome
A scene of the Tahrir ‘Civic square’,Cairo Egypt with over 3 Million civilians during the 2011 revolution
C
ivic architecture can loosely be defined as the design of a prominent land area within a community to create a focal point or center. Civic squares more often host more than one important government building but a series of sometimes visually or philosophically interconnected spaces. Civic buildings are not just limited to government tenancy. Other buildings including libraries, cathedrals, markets, theatres etc can also be broadly regarded as such as they are also attraction points for regular public
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gatherings. The definition further encompasses the resultant spaces around civic buildings as civic spaces. In some cases, the spaces around the civic buildings are some of the most vital places in cities. The need for administration and government led to formation of the civic squares in most world cities. However, a lot of other merits have been realized away from the core reason of need for seat of political governance. Urban squares world over have been used for political emancipation processes including revolts and agitation for regime change. It’s interesting to note the masses courage to always bring the
OPINION
Temporary Weekend Maasai Market at Supreme Court Parking in the Nairobi CBD ‘war’ to the governments’ door steps. It has even been widely suggested that civic spaces enhanced the development of civil society. When civic institutions are located in places that are easily accessible by pedestrians and transit for example, they help to make a city more walk-able and reduce dependence on the automobile. Most recently in Kenya, we have seen most civic spaces diversify in functions. For example, the Nairobi High Court Parking lot during the weekends ceases its original function as a parking lot to become a temporary market drawing thousands of buyers and sellers. In this regard civic institutions can also help to support and build local economies by encouraging small-scale businesses and local entrepreneurship through vending programs, farmers’ markets, festivals and other locallysponsored activities. In other specific idea of civic engagement taking place in and around institutions has fallen out of favor for a number of reasons. These include bureaucracy, safety and security concerns, designs that preclude public use (Boundary walls and spikes!), a lack of collaborative management strategies, and inadequate public funding. Furthermore, many civic institutions continue to be designed and located as stand-alone, isolated facilities, reachable only by those with automobiles. Because of this, they have ceased to perform their important role in our society.
Modernization is slowly leading to the collapse of civic spaces. Today, it doesn’t make much sense to have a physical meeting with the advent of all the virtual meeting platforms. The virtual space was widely used in the two most recent Egyptian revolutions. The costs related to construction and even maintenance of physical civic spaces has probably even enhanced the wide use of the ‘virtual civic spaces’ due to its reduced capital construction requirements. Even in the face of all the technological advancement and little regard for physical civic spaces, they still stand their role in place making and as the true arena where communities can have true physical and emotional interaction necessary in defining humanity. The Author is a partner at Whintto Architects, Mombasa
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TECHNOLOGY
Six global trends that Brilliant Architects Build areBuildings changing howBIM we design Better with in Africa
Building information modelling (BIM) is an integrated process of collating and maintaining information relating to a building or infrastructure projects by means of an intelligent digital model with 3D objects and data associated to it. The term BIM has evolved along with technology innovation. Today BIM extends well beyond the design process to the construction site and even to operation, providing a foundation to enable analysis and collaboration at any point in the project lifecycle.
COLLABORATION
INNOVATION
BIM
VALUE
PRODUCTIVITY
INSIGHT
SUSTAINABLITY
S RETURN ON INVESTMENT
The ‘B’ in BIM, represents the word ‘building’, extending well beyond the building industry and fits firmly in the planning, design and management of infrastructure projects. Autodesk defines BIM as an intelligent model-based process that provides insight for creating and managing building and infrastructure projects faster, more economically, and with less environmental impact. For more information contact Ideate Technologies Tel: +254 732 188 230 E-mail: info@ideate.mu Website: www.ideate.mu
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