Our latest issue of Buildesign Magazine for 2015 comes in the backdrop of the just ended April-May long rains which extended into the month of June. The rains caused immeasurable levels of havoc especially in the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa and towns like Narok where unprecedented flooding was experienced.
The result was destruction of properties worth millions of shillings and several recorded deaths. Serious questions arose as to what could have been done to avert such disasters or at least reduce their impacts.
Granted that such natural occurrences could not be completely prevented, the destruction we experienced, and the casualties
recorded were to a very good extent of our own making.
Our poor maintenance culture resulting in blocked drainage systems to corruption that has enabled developers put up buildings blocking natural water causes to historical goofs; an example being the location of Narok town in a valley along a natural waterway are some of the reasons that year in, year out, we shall be revisiting this issue, unless something major is done. And this requires a regime that has the guts to make the tough decisions.
Our partners, Kounkey Design Initiative, have presented a case study of flooding in their key operational zone of Kibera and have explored very creative solutions for the same in Kibera and urban areas in general. This, we have featured in this issue of the
magazine.
BUILDesign Magazine continues to seek credible projects that are comprehensive in their design, interiors, application of art and implementation. In this issue, we bring you one such that is the Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel in Nairobi. Savour the Mediterranean beauty that flows in its intricate design.
We have also introduced an interior feature and we kick off with the Chase Iman HQ offices at the Delta Towers in Westlands. Discover the change of game in office interiors.
In our architect’s profile, we have the Works Secretary, Architect Aidah Munano who has risen through the ministerial ranks from a graduate architect to her current position. She elaborates the ministerial structure and how the government is involved in the industry.
Lack of a green building code for Africa is largely affecting modern design in our region. Our environmental design expert, Loki David has detailed the situation and he says that soon we will have an operational code.
Together with other insightful features, we present you the third issue of BUILDesign Magazine 2015. Our goal is to sustain a standard of excellence for our readers and once again, we encourage you to help us serve you better by sending us your reviews, questions and comments on info@architecturekenya.com.
Enjoy your read!
