Mwitumi Undergrad Portfolio

2023

PORTFOLIO

Hosea Mwaniki Mwitumi Student Architect

Hello, I am Mwitumi Hosea. A dedicated architecture student from the Technical University of Kenya. I am passionate about architecture and its role in society in creating spaces where life can be experienced in its totality.

In my view, the most powe ul weapon that a young architect may wield is their po folio, an authentic documentation of their experience and outlook in architecture. Herein, I have documented my journey in architecture as a testament to my skillset and expertise. As a student and architectural intern, I have been involved in various academic and professional projects that have equiped me with a plethora of hard and so skills critical to the discipline. As an avid learner, I am always looking foward to new learning experiences to broaden my skillset and expand my view of the discipline. I hope that this breif presentation inspires a desire to engage me in making a contribution to our noble profession.

Mwitumi H. Mwaniki +254 798684505 h ps://www.linkedin.com/in/hosea-mwitumi-31b335266/

+254 798 684 505 mwitumihosea@gmail.com

Referees: Arch P. Karugo 0722 515475-Lecturer, TUK

J. Munyao (Grad Arch)

0711 569610-House Designs

Sam Njuru 0708 220381-PM,Neoplan

2017 - Present : The Technical University of Kenya Bachelor of Architectural Studies/Bachelor of Architecture 2012 - 2016 : Njiiri School Kenya Ce ificate of Secondary Education. KCSE (A-)

• Presentation & Graphic Design • Creativity & Adaptability • A ention to detail • Collaboration & Teamwork

2008 - 2011 : Benedito Highway Complex Kenya Ce ificate of Primary Education, KCPE (A-) Graphiso Archicad 2021 (May-November): House Designs Kenya [HDK] Position: Remote Architectural Intern Roles: Project conceptualization including development of outline proposals.

Project detailing - production of approval & construction documentation.

Project visualization and production of marketing documentation.

Adobe Photoshop

2021 (January-March): Neoplan Kenya Position: Inhouse A achee Roles: Project detailing including production of approval & construction documentation.

A ended site meetings and inspections under senior tutelage.

Adobe Premiere

Other o ce duties as directed by my seniors.

Collaboration with colleagues in various stages of project development.

Adherence to existing building and planning regulations in project delivery.

Adherence to client briefs in design development & communication of design ideas.

Prioritization of workload and adherence to set deadlines.

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator Enscape Lumion

BUS RAPID TRANSIT

MR. MUNGAI RESIDENCE

BRT LINE 05 [ALLSOPPS -TAJMALL] DETAIL DESIGN

A 5-BEDROOM BUNGALOW IN KONZA CITY

TRANSPORT [PUBLIC]

PROFESSIONAL

RESIDENTIAL

PROFESSIONAL

SELECTED WORKS

RAMISI HOLIDAY HOMES

SUNEKA APARTMENTS

URBAN HOUSING

LIVEABLE CITIES

A GATED RESIDENTIAL ESTATE

A 5-STOREY RESIDENTIAL APT BLOCK

SOLVING THE HOUSING CRISIS, EASTLANDS

REIMAGINING MCHUMBI STREET, SOUTH C.

COMMERCIAL TOWNHOUSES

PROFESSIONAL

COMMERCIAL APARTMENTS

,

PROFESSIONAL

HOUSING

ACADEMIC

URBAN

ACADEMIC

01

OUTERING BUS RAPID TRANSIT

Topographical Survey Map - Outering Road

Sample Station Planning Guide Station 14 - Taj Mall

LINE 05 [ALLSOPPS - TAJMALL SECTION]

A detailed surveymap guide of Station 14 illustrating the various sections including elaborate provisions for boarding, fare collection, utility & plant etc.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Lead Architect - Khamala Reinier W. [A1841] As cities contend with balooning populations, various options have been lauded to cater for e ective transpo ation of masses including subways & BRTs. In 2014, GOK, financed by world bank, in e o s to improve public transpo in Nairobi set out on such an innitiative.

The Ministry of Transpo , infrastructure, housing, and urban development in 2014 organized a study assesing the city’s MRTS corridors. The commision recommended 5 BRT & 4 commuter rail corridors. In 2019, NAMATA gaze ed the five BRT corridors namely; Line 01 [Limuru-Kitengela] Ndovu, Line 02 [Rongai-Kenol] Simba, Line 03 [Tala-Ngong] Chui, Line 04 [Mama Lucy-Kikuyu] Kifaru, Line 05 [Ridgeways-Imara Daima] Nyati.

Line 05 [Nyati] traverses from Ridgeways (Kiambu Rd), connects to Allsops (Thika Rd) and terminates at Tajmall in Embakasi. I had the pleasure of being involved in detailed documentation of the section between Allsops-Tajmall. Within this section, there are a total of 13 stations.

My involvement in this project was at detailing for the enterity of the project. With construction scheduled to sta in January 2024 & facing a sharp deadline, I

From the topograhical analysis, it was deemed that the

was brought in to provide detailed documentation for

section between Allsops and Tajmall would comprise

all stations up to the module level. The project was an

13 stations situated at Allsops, Baba Dogo, Kariobangi,

oppo unity into valuable insights for managing de-

Huruma, Juja Rd. Intersection, Kangundo Rd, Mutindwa,

sign within large/complex projects especially within a

Tena, Manyanja, Donholm, Tassia, Fedha, Pipeline Ta-

team se ing.

jmall.

Map showing the 5 BRT & 4 Commuter rail corridors gazze ed by the Nairobi Metropolitan Transpo Authority [NAMATA]

DESIGN APPROACH

Sample modules utilized in the project

Modularity

Given the scale and complexity of the project, the design gravitates towards modularity whereby the project was broken down to repetitive conceptual blocks [MODULES] that are amalgamated to form a station. This strategy a ords a number of oppo unities and benefits that would otherwise be forgone .

A] Design E fiency.

For this project, we employed Archicad modules which allowed fast tracking of design, teamwork, ease of making design revisions, and more e cient detailing.

B] Fabrication E ciency The design uses standard modules with definate

Module A 4.0m Wide Variation Axonometry

Module A 4.0m Wide Variation Plan View

components in regards to no per module, profile, nominal sizes etc. This is expected to ease fabrication on the supply side since the same standard component is being employed repetitively.

C. Costing Ease For a complex project of this magnitude, cost estimation may prove to be quite ardous. Nonetheless, with standard modules comprising definite components, the cost is easily approximated as cost of a module X no of modules.

D] Ease of Execution With definite modules, assembly for the contractor and a isans becomes easier since its a repetitive task-similar to production e ciency of the assembly line!

Module A 4.0m Wide Variation Section View

Perspective View @ Boarding Gates Station End 4.0m Wide Variation Axonometric View

Station 01 [Allsops] Aerial View

Station End 4.0m Wide Variation Elevation View

Intersection @ Juja Rd. Station 05

Perspective View at Stair & Li Lobbies

Station End 4.0m & 3.5m Wide Sections

Station End 4.0m Plan View

Stair Axonometric section

Stair plan

02

MR. MUNGAI RESIDENCE KONZA CITY

The breif entailed a design for a 5 bedroom, 5-bathroom residential bungalow at the hea of Konza city. The client also requested a private study & media room for private ente ainment as pa of the spatial breif. They also expressed desire for integrated indoor & outdoor living.

The client requested for a blend between traditional & modern looks, expressing desire for a traditional pitch roof with a touch of modernist minimalist facades. The proposed design seeks to fulfill this breif with a few additional recommendations including indoor cou yard and vaulted ceiling.

THE CONCEPT

SPATIAL CONCEPT

Concept seeks to arrange spaces according to privacy gradient, clustering living spaces sorrounded by more private intimate spaces. Living spaces provided with access to outdoors to promote harmonious living with nature.

PROJECT MOODBOARD

FORM CONCEPT

Form adopts simple geometrical shapes to manage the building mass allowing a modernist form for the building. In terms of materiality, the building blends between smooth painted plaster and accents of rough stone clading.

INDOOR COURTYARD: River pebbled ßoor, Indoor plants, Glass for light inlet

CASCADE KITCHEN: Brakfast nook stepped down from worktop.

VAULTED CEILING: High vaulted ceiling, clerestory windows, exposed truss

CONCEPTUAL FACADE DESIGN The main design motifs adopted include sweeping, imposing geometry to manage the building mass into several cohesive pa s of the whole, breaking the roofline into two levels, and creating a material interplay between smooth grey & white plaster and rough mazeras stone texture.

FRONT ELEVATION

REAR ELEVATION

FLOOR PLAN AXONOMETRY

Room Legend 1. Entry Porch 2. Foyer 3. Cloak Rm 4. Lounge 5. Indoor Cou yard 6. Dining 7. Kitchen 8. Laundry 9. Yard 10. Pantry 11. Movie Rm 12. Sit-out

13. Master Ensuite 14. WIC 15 Master bath 16. Shared Bath 17. Bedroom 02 18. Bedroom 03 19. Study 20. Bedroom 04 21. Ensuite 22. Ensuite 23. Bedroom 05

,

Primary living spaces are roofed with a higher hip roof that a ords the oppo unity for clerestory windows & a vaulted ceiling while the more private spaces are covered by a lower shed-type roof. This design approach is my mutation of Wright’s signature tactic of intentional “compression and release” through volume of spaces. Ideally, the higher roof within living spaces is intended to make them feel larger, more airy and open. Conversely, the bedrooms by having lower roofs are designed to feel more intimate to the users. The transition between these spaces acheives the idea of “compression” and “release”

03

RAMISI ESTATE KWALE COUNTY

To respond to market demands for the urban upper middle class, developers are increasingly shi ing to investment in gated communities.

This type of development o ers benefits such as economies of scale, minimized redundancies, market appeal and greater returns on investment. During my tenure at HDK, I got involved in the development of a small-scale residential estate in Ramisi, Kwale County.

The submi ed proposal for Ramisi Estate comprised of a cluster of 8 contemnporary 3-Bedroom massione es, a gate house and club house in a 0.35 Ha parcel. The project was an exciting oppo unity to explore responses to market demands in urban housing. My roles in the project included masterplanning, visualization, interior designed and detailed documentation of the entirety of the project.

Solid/Built

Residential Units

Void/Unbuilt (Green)

Club House

Unbuilt (Paved)

Access Spine Sewer Gate House

PLOT DIVISIONS SOLID VS VOID LAND USES The masterplanning of the project inThe challenge in masterplanning was volved subdividing the site into lots to to acheive balance between various accomodate a typical individual unit. This landuses to create a sustainable dewas approached by creating a 6m wide velopment. Consequently the proposcentral spine flanked by a 1.5m paved al created 45% built vs unbuilt space. pedestrian walkway for accessibility to There was also a concious a empt to all units. Proposals for a gate house and maximize profitability for the developer an estate clubhouse hosting recreational by minimizing percentage allocation for amenities including a pool, cafe, and gym amenities. were also made.

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

FRONT ELEVATION

SIDE ELEVATION

UNIT SECTION

INTERIORS

LIGHTS Adjustable height pendant

Wall Sconce

Adjustable monopoint gamble light

Monopint ßush-mount ceiling light

Lounge

75mm dia reccessed ceiling downlighter

150mm square proÞle reccessed ceiling down-

Master Bedroom

Dining + Kitchen

Interior Render credits HDK Team

Reßected Ceiling Plan

9mm bulkhead gypsum plasterboard ceiling to RCP proÞle detail.

Approved recessed ceiling downlighters Custom MDF board wardrobe to schedule fabrication detail.

Custom vinyl wallpaper to client’s selection.

5mm wide Fluted WPC panels.

Wooden proÞle window board Þnished with approved mahogany varnish.

Metal proÞle skirting with hidden LED strip light to proÞle detail.

Interior Elevation 01

3D perspective

9mm bulkhead gypsum plasterboard ceiling to RCP proÞle detail.

Approved recessed ceiling downlighters Timber ßush door to schedule detail.

Custom MDF board wardrobe to schedule fabrication detail.

Metal proÞle skirting with hidden LED strip light to proÞle detail.

Guest Bedroom Plan

Interior Elevation 02

2000mm high by 4mm thick clear glass door hinged to wardrobe frame

4 No. 400 X 700 x20mm MDF highshelf cabinet doors.

2 No. 400 X 700 x20mm MDF highshelf cabinet doors.

800 x 200 x550mm display shelf.

Gold coated brass door handles.

Wardrobe Plan View LED strip light.

Dressing Mirror.

6 No. 400 X 700 x20mm MDF highshelf cabinet doors.

Gold coated brass door handles.

800 x 1300 x550mm dresser notch

800 x 200 x550mm display shelf.

2 No. 550 x 180mm pull-out drawers.

6 No. 280 x 550 x 300mm display shelves 2 No. 400 X 1750 x20mm MDF hinged cabinet doors.

2 No. 400 X 2000 x20mm MDF hinged cabinet doors.

2 No. 550 x 180mm pull-out drawers.

2 No. 400 X 1750 x20mm MDF hinged cabinet doors.

2 No. 400 X 2000 x20mm MDF hinged cabinet doors.

Wardrobe Perspective Wardrobe Elevation

04

SUNEKA RIDGE APARTMENTS-KISII

With increasing urbanization, apa ments have evolved as the answer to the housing crisis in urban centers. That notwithstanding, apa ments have also presented a scourge in quality of urban living. Characterized by beacon-to beacon construction and lack of provision for amenities such as parking, apa ments have morphed our urban areas into “glorified slums:

However, it is notewothy that the legal framework has in place regulations to guide such developments for which they should adhere. This project presented me with the oppo unity to excercise knowledge on these building and planning regulations. My roles in the project traversed concept design, visualization and production of approval & construction documentation.

THE SITE

The site presented the challenge of a steep incline with a 4m elevation di erence between the highest and lowest points [1477-1481].

This challenge was solved by locating the building on the lower po ion where the fradient was less steep and adopting a cascaded building layout where the pa of the ground floor accomodated su ace parking with the building raised on columns.

The freed ground allowed accomodation of more ground parking.

PLANNING

DESIGN RESPONSE & CONCEPT

Among the critical planning parameters to be adhered were a 6m building line along the road & 2.4m setback from adjacent plots, & a 60% ground coverage.

To optimize land usage while adhering to ground coverage regulations, the idea was to locate the building on the lower po ion & incorporate a landscaped garden.

For the concept, a cascaded building footprint was pre ered to respond to the site’s steep incline.

Ground Floor Layout

Typical Floor Layout

05

Faced with an ever growing urban population, housing in Kenya’s capital-Nairobi has become a major problem necesitating urgent concern. With the current sho age of over million units at least K units must be provided annually to meet demand. In line with this, the government has embarked on an a ordable housing program to o er social housing to the urban poor.

Students were expected to explore a variety of design typologies including low-density, mid-density and high-density housing. To this end, proposals for bungalows, massione es, midrise and highrise apa ments were submi ed.

This exercise required that students develop a housing scheme within Nairobi’s Eastlands Area. The exercise required the exploration of concepts of masterplanning, clustering, typology design a ordability and sustainability. More so, the proposed housing scheme had to adress pe inent concerns for urban housing such as the need for social spaces, security etc.

LEGEND 1. Feeder Access 2. Communal Parking.

3. 4-bedroom massione e.

4. Semi-detached bungalow 5. Manicured cou yard 6. Orchard/Garden 7. Acquaculture pond 8. Kid’s playground

LEGEND 1. Feeder Access 2. Swales network.

3. Communal Parking.

4. Manicured lawn 5. Communal square 6. Kid’s playground 7. Orchard/Garden 8. Studio $ 1bd block 9. 2 & 3 Bd block

“The creation of sociable architecture ought to be the endeavour of every architect. Buildings are not just a , they are functional a _and pa of that function lies in enabling social coexistence. Architecture ought to exist in servitude to the society. Not for self glorification, but somewhat like a canvas upon which the totality of society engraves its essence, its ideals, its interactions!

“The Kenyan architectural space is however a far cry from this noble goal of architecture. Pa ially that exists due to ingrained industry traditions and practices such as ridiculously miniature lot sizes and a highly individualist society. Nonetheless, architects need not give up on the ideals of societal living, and wherever possible, must exploit every oppo unity to give socialble architecture. A erall, we shape our architecture, then it shapes us!”

-Hosea Mwitumi-

06

The breif required an analysis of the current street profile on Mchumbi Road in Nairobi’s South C Estate. This analysis was expected to facilitate the identification of structural, programatic and design issues hindering its usability on socio-cultural, economic and sustainability dimensions in line with the tenets of liveable cities.

Students were fu her required to deliniate a specific site on the street for proposal of re-design measures to adress the identified problems. To this end, I proposed an elevated urban park above the existing parking and connected to a community center on the first level. This proposal was meant to render the street vibrant by accomodating more social and economic uses.

The design aimed to solve the current problems on the street by separating the pedestrian tra c from vehicular tra c, providing space for socialization in the urban context e.g host urban guitarists, a ists, date nights etc. The mega infrastructure would also help to shade traders below from weather elements. This design would also introduce greenery on the street which was visibly lacking.

Plan view of the elevated urban park

Elevation view of the elevated urban park

Proposed Community Center

HONOURABLE MENTIONS A FRAME CABIN REIMAGINING MCHUMBI STREET, SOUTH C.

This was an extension of the Ngong project whereby the client requested a separate 1 Bd. A-frame cabin. The project was an exciting oppo unity to explore trends in tiny house minimalist living. The form concept explored lighting using skylights for both function & aesthetic appeal. With a limited budget, the main constraint was acheiving the client’s expectation from a limited plinth. My roles in this project involved 3D concept development, visualization & project detailing and documentation.

NGONG RESIDENCE

ENKONDI RESIDENCE

REIMAGINING MCHUMBI STREET, SOUTH C.

A 5-BEROOM MASSIONETTE, K. ROAD.

The project entailed delivering a luxurious 4-bedroom mansion proposal. The main challenge for the project was a steeply sloping site. This was approached as an oppo unity to have one bedroom as an independent subletable 1bd. unit on the basement level which also housed the garage. My roles in this project involved making revisions of the initial 3D concept, production of approval and detailed construction drawings & 3D visualization.

The breif entailed a design for a 5 bedroom massione e in Kenya a Road. The proposed form concept gravitated towards bold expression with a dramatic facade & prominent floor to ceiling to windows. With a tight plot, adherence to planning guidelines pa icularly on setbacks was a key takeaway in this project. My roles in the project included concept development and design, visualization and detailed documentation.

SIMENYA COUNTRY HOME

5-MINUTE CITIES

A RURAL CONTAINER HOME CONCEPT

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION.

The objective in this design was to deliver a rustic country home aesthetic which was succesfully realized by combining three shipping containers and using timber cladding braced to the parent structure using a steel la ice to augment the form.

The main challenge within this design was to carefully configure standard sized containers in an optimal layout ensuring functional space. I tackled the project from conceptualization stage to detailed production drawings.

I unde ook this project in my fi h year of study. The project required students to unde ake a detailed urban analysis of the site bound by Racecourse, Pumwani & Quarry road in CBD and propose a revitalized urban for the area. My proposal sought to cluster & harmonize land uses, optimize te iary transpo routes, introduce a riparian park along Nairobi river, and introduce integrated shared spaces within the urban fabric by utilizing a cou yard layout of buildings.

COUNTRY LODGE EXPLORING SUSTAINABILE BUILDING

This was an academic project I unde ook in fou h year where students were expected to design an ecolodge. The highlight for this project was the materiality; utilizing recycled steel containers & engineered wood to meet sustainability requirements. The form concept configured the containers in an L-shape with one stacked perpedicularly on the other. This e ectively raised the container freeing the ground and allowing biodiversity to thrive beneath.

THANK YOU!

The future belongeth to those that dare believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Eleanor Roosevelt