AboutKagi Expertise I can answer questions on the overall Kenyan culture, our history (given some time to confirm the facts), and our way of life in the towns and rural areas. I'm not claiming expertise, but if you want my opinion, I'll give it to you.
Experience I am a Kenyan, I have worked with various children's homes and aid organisations to get a hint of the other side of the street, and I enjoy observing Kenyan life. I have also done a number of courses in culture.
Organizations I Choose Life (ICL), Kenya Book Foundation (KBF), and SIFE
Publications A local magazine in Kenyan estates in Nairobi, AdPaper, and my university newspaper, Involvement.
Education/Credentials A liberal B.A in Communication.
Expert: Kagi Date: 11/2/2007 Subject: Common construction materials
Question QUESTION: Hello!! I'm an architecture student and I would like to know which are the common materials used for constructing in Nairobi, I'm interested in knowing about the local materials, the ones you can easily acquire and that are used for walls, roofing, windows, columns, etc. Thank you very much for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Gabriela,
Geez, I hope I answer this right. (If I tell you about the nature of the buildings, will I have answered right?) Buildings in Nairobi vary greatly in design and architectural material. Some walls are made of bricks, others concrete, stone, mud, iron sheets, a few of glass and even paper bags or cardboard.
Most exteriors for commercial buildings have either painted walls and columns, or tiled.
Windows occupy just basic space in most buildings. Some are the louvred type, others are close to being French windows (I so have no idea what the exact architectural term would be, please bear with me ...). These are made of glass. Nothing fancy yet.
Mud houses are more common in rural areas, and urban slums, as are cardboard and iron sheet houses.
Residential areas have stone buildings. There are several quarries in the Athi River area.
Cement manufacturers are basically three, at least those of the major league.
Roofing is also either brick or iron sheets. Iron sheet roofs are especially noisy when it rains! High rise buildings have the flat roofs sealed with cement.
Hope this has made sense ... if not, feel free to follow-up. I might be more intelligent then ...
All the best with architecture!
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QUESTION: Perfect!!! Yes this is a good answer... Thank you very much.. I was just wondering one more thing, from all these materials you've mentioned which ones would you say are local fabrication?? For example I know the stone block and brick industry is very big in Kenya, so to me that would be considered local, but what happens with glass, iron sheets and wood, is there an existing industry or would I have to import?? I'm trying to be as sustainable as I can with the design. I think this would be the last thing I will bother you with... Thanks!!
Answer Aw, shucks!! Thanks! But it really is no bother.
We have Magadi that is a great source of soda ash, which is used to make glass. But this extends to bottles, construction material would have to be imported.
Iron sheets are made locally. There are a number of mills that manufacture what we call 'mabati'.
Wood also is locally produced. Timber mills and all. However, wood buildings are not large as a rule, especially with laws against logging. Commercial type buildings would not wholly be made of wood, but may have wood finishings and furniture. The furniture making business is also huge here. And very creative. Wrought iron, however, is fast becoming the new source of furniture. This is also local.
So, save for glass, everything else is done locally. And a lot of companies import the glass and resell it locally.
If you have anything else you need clarified, it won't be a bother to respond, promise. All the best with your project!
