Portfolio MTAMU KILILO
Content Insights Name MTAMU KILILO Date of Birth 12TH OCTOBER ‘88 From TAITA KENYA Language TAITA|SWAHILI|ENGLISH Design ARCHITECTURE|FURNITURE +250 (0) 733 497 030 +254 (0) 729 963 225 mtamukililomtamu@gmail.com mtamukililomtamu@africandesigncentre.org mtamukililo@archidatum.com
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Mtamu Kililo 75025-0200, Nairobi, Kenya mtamujay
I am a firm believer in the impact of architecture and design as tools for economic development. Am convinced as architects and designers, we are at a pole position to spearhead economic growth in the African continent. Our decisions must be conscious of the environment we are working in; we should always aim at actively working with the communities we work with and that every individual stands to benefit. This two part portfolio is an exploration in how we, architects, can place ourselves
and apply methodologies to drive these said decisions. It is a transition from product driven architecture to one that is focused more on the process with every project having a mission beyond the architectural piece and aiming to accelerate economic growth.
Part I ACADEMIC WORK This body of work focused mostly on environmental responsive design and the science of architecture.
PROFESSIONAL WORK In the professional category, these are commercial projects done under Sketch Studio, Nairobi, Kenya
Design Journey As architecture student, I was more a visual designer with very strong inclination towards environmental responsive design. This transitioned into the professional cut throat world where it was more return on investment that mattered and environmental conscious decision are on much lighter application. However with a team of other young designers, African Design Centre, we aimed to redefine this process to have impact based design approach. In this approach every project has to have a economic growth acceleration system change. Our goal as designers is to unearth the mission for each project that will lead to this change.
Part II PROCESS RE-DEFINITION In a new approach of design, a design build school project in Musanze, Rwanda exemplifies this process. It also covers a scaled down case of this approach. PROCESS IN PRACTICE Having learnt the process and it value in economic growth, this last body shows an opportuWnity case in how to work with local communities.
Academic Work Two selected projects are contained in this chapter, the Voi Community Library and the Taifa Hall II The Voi Community library was part submission for a Bachelor of Architecture Degree, University on Nairobi, 2014. Its the culmination of a Savanna Responsive Architecture thesis done at the Coast of Kenya in the Taita community. Its an effort to willfully design contemporary in Rural Africa focusing on the available materials, local technology and scale It tries to represent the present without imitating the past or
being universally modern and lacking in context. The Taifa Hall II is also part submission for Bachelor of Architectural Studies, University of Nairobi, 2012. It focuses on to designing in an architectural rich context but answers the science questions of acoustics of an auditorium.
Voi Community Library
Academic Work p. 11
The Library Ethos In a world of constant change and tight financial times this library aims to serve the community by making the best use of local resources and in the way that the locals understands best but still have a modern development. It targets the African youth by creating spaces where they can sharpen their life skills, ideas and even have fun learning with other youths across the globe. The major aim of the design is the creation of information, a full meeting space where people can learn, teach and have fun with one another. In this aspect the community has to view it as an extension of their living room.
Academic Work p. 13
Project Detailing Detailed with the local technology and materials, the project is both low cost, environmental friendly and shows empathy to the locals’ architecture. Louver windows are made of the local wattle and seats made of sisal poles found in plenty in the area of the project. The burnt bricks used entirely on the project are locally sourced and made by the community offering both job opportunities and making them own the project.
The spaces transition from outside gentle without having the traditional segregation of the library from the general public.
Academic Work p. 15
Environmental Responsive The project employs east-west orientation with larger shaded windows facing the North and South. Services are located in East and West facade and shade the other spaces. Narrow planning allows ease of cross ventilation and natural lighting. This is even more advanced by series of lounges along the narrow layout. High volumes reduces heat gain in
spaces with a suspended ceiling giving the necessary air gap. Any heat gained with the building is whisked away through solar chimneys on the facades of the project.
Taifa Hall II
Academic Work p. 19
Contextual Solution In a rich university architecture the Taifa Hall II aims at blending without taking away the rich pedestrian life. Instead of blocking paths, it frames them improving transition and creating pockets of activities. The master plan allows for separate pedestrian and vehicular movement to solve the current conflict between the two. Having the bridge allows for a free flow of human traffic from the entrance right through to the other university facilities.
The open courtyard created between the three buildings, Taifa Hall II, the existing library and the Hyslop building, ties them together making the new building part of the existing building.
Academic Work p. 21
Pedestrian Emphasis A clear route of movement has been introduced from the main entrance right through to the university. It was aimed to tackle the existing conflict between vehicles and pedestrian by giving priority to pedestrian over the vehicle.
Professional Work Working under seasoned architects in Kenya , I was able to understand the practice of architecture, coordination with other design team and managing a project. Two built project are covered in this chapter with one proposed project. The Saj showroom in Kiambu is a bold project where the client wanted to showcase a new product while the Victoria Commercial exemplifies an alternative banking systems. The Maktau proposed catholic church, a personal proposal, gravitates back to environmental design with subtle use
of local materials and technology. It was aimed to be built for and by the local community.
Professional Work p. 25
SAJ Showroom Display of bold values in design, showing expressively the commitment to quality through modern and innovative designs. This characterizes the typical Saj Ceramics buildings with this one being on a slope in the suburbs. The play of the concrete with the glass facade creates a clean sleek modern finish which matches the client brief and becomes a part of the showcased items in the showroom rather than a shell for the showroom.
Professional Work p. 27
A Club Banking With an aim of creating a club like feel of the bank the interior is warm with timber finishes, stainless steel and quartz and assorted lighting that enhance this look. The bank focus on the client is manifested by the lounge spaces created with themes specifically for each. All clients are served seating as opposed to the traditional standing. The main feature of the coved lights create a warm reception to the visitors as they approach the bank uplifting the spirit lowered by mantrap entry.
Professional Work p. 29
Maktau Catholic Church
Detailed with the local technology and materials, the project is both low cost, environmental friendly and shows empathy to the locals’ architecture. Louvered windows offer ample cross ventilation. None of the glass windows is directly exposed to the sun and all are shaded from direct sun and either long overhangs or sisal pole sunshading louver features. The project is meant to represent the people so they can relate and associate with the church other than being a foreign feature in a rather rural set up
Process Re-definition At African Design Centre, we got an opportunity to participate in all aspects of an impact driven construction approach based upon building a community of builders through initial engagement, construction kickoff, and impact data gathering, understanding typical roles and atypical solutions and utilization of project and community communication strategies. With the guidance of a design build instructor we engaged in design build construction administration techniques developed for maximum community
investment through direct participation in all aspects of construction including site observation, labor organization, , project sequencing, procurement, budget tracking and oversight, quality control, roles and management of trades, site safety and protection, and ongoing impact assessment. We also engaged in small scale craft and research projects built for impact solutions.
Ruhehe Primary School
Process Re-definition p. 35
Impact Design Methodology Impact Design Methodology is based on the belief that every project has a mission that is unique to the organization and community it serves. As each project has a unique mission, IDM also acknowledges that each project will have unique impact and its assessment has to be tailored to those intended outcomes whether those are specific to improving outcomes of health, education, justice or human dignity. Its my belief that acceleration of economic development can support these improvement in health, education justice and/or human dignity. In Design of Ruhehe School we applied this IDM approach to inform all our design decisions.
MISSION
What is the end goal?
Ruhehe School IDM Mission; Broaden Learning Experience Method; • Using playful and curiosity driven architecture • Create space that involve community in education • Create spaces that support active learning Impact; • More students spend more time in school beyond designated shifts. • Regular community members learning at the school. • Community members contribute to the students’ learning. Behaviour; • Students have a positive attitude toward the school • Brighter future student life • Children spend more time after school hours. • Better perception of school environment by the community. • School replicated.
BEHAVIOUR
METHOD
How do we get there?
What needs to happen in order for the desired impact to occur?
IMPACT
What are the metrics that will evaluate our progress?
Process Re-definition p. 37
Planning The school metaphorically and literary engages the community in the student learning. Building and learning from an existing school the additional facility is aimed to broaden the learning experience by focusing on the students developmental stages.
Process Re-definition p. 39
Materials Volcanic stone walls, locally available in Rwanda, are used on all class room wall parallel to the school end wall. This gives an opportunity of adding an infill material to link the offsets. In this case the infill wall is terracotta in the form of bricks and clay tiles
Process Re-definition p. 41
Detailing Understanding the position of the sun in Rwanda we are able to have ambient light in the classroom through out the year. Using clay roof tiles as opposed to corrugated sheets in a very rainy environment reduces the noise in the classroom and allows learning to continue through the rain. All the roof tiles and walling materials were sourced less than 10km from the site and labour was all from the locality
Mushroom Possibilities
Process Re-definition p. 45
Mushroom Based Materials A research into a new bio-material made with the mushrooms’ filament roots, called mycelium. The material was mainly aimed to take advantage of acoustic properties of the product of the filaments and crop wastes. The process uses agricultural waste as feedstock. The feedstock is cleaned and then inoculated with mycelium. The mycelium grows, threading its way through the feedstock, and bonding it into a mixture. The still-growing mixture is put into molds. After the mixture has
grown to the shapes and sizes of the molds, the growth is halted through heat-treatment The process doesn’t compete with crops for humans and uses a variety of feed stocks. It is simple and efficient and the product is completely compostable.
Process In Practice As an approach to link a market with the necessary skills, I worked with tradesmen from informal settlement in Kibera to built for the middle class individuals who were out of university. This approach was aimed at creating value both ends as the market buys for less while the tradesmen sell for more than they normally would. This approach was done for only furniture but can be applied for any trade and craft and the overall goal is to build the economic capacity of all the involved parties and create belief in the tradesmen by celebrating the potential of what they bring to the table.
This is a mission based case based on acceleration of economic development as the expected system change and each piece having a unique mission towards this sole role
Process In Practice p. 49
Flexible Furniture This piece made in Kibera had the sole role of growing with space, It had the ability to expand and contract in 3 different formations; it could be a table and a bookshelf, a table with storage or in an extremely small space just a TV stand. It was ideal for individuals starting employment just out of the university.
Intellectual Property This portfolio contains creations of the author that are legally owned and vitally protected under copyright laws. All content on this document are copyright material and may not be used without the express written consent of Mtamu Kililo. All images, drawings and sketches are either the property of the author or expressively reserved to the respective architectural firms under which the author was obligated to.
Publications Mtamu Kililo and the Brick by Brick Battle in the Savanna: Voi Community Library http://www.archidatum.com/projects/ mtamu-kililo-and-the-brick-by-brick-battle-in-the-savanna-voi-community-library/