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SA firm wins international architectural competition : Dhk envisaged a welcoming, "democratic" space sheltered by a tensile canopy roof supported on tripod tree-like columns. -
SA firm wins international architectural competition : The WMI is to be a functional and inspiring hub of activities related to the fields of natural resource management and education for sustainable development. -
SA firm wins international architectural competition : The approach was to have the Institute nestled into its surroundings and capturing the dramatic views across the valley towards Mount Kenya. -
SA firm wins international architectural competition : The "Green Campus" will be a dynamic educational and practical landscape showcasing and demonstrating sustainable techniques in natural resource management, agriculture and production.
South African architecture firm, Dhk Architects, recently came out tops in an international competition for the design of the Wangari Maathai Institute in Kenya.
Walking away as the unanimous winners of the architectural competition, initiated by the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies in Kenya, Dhk were commended for their bold design and thorough approach.
“The winning design was unanimous,” said project advisor and jury member, Phillip Kungu. “We were particularly impressed with the land-use master plan, the sensitive treatment of ecological issues and the extensive handling of sustainable design concepts.”
Located on a lush, steeply-sloping 50-acre site at the University of Nairobi Kabete campus, the “green campus” will be home to a host of activities around the area of natural resource management and education for sustainable development. The Institute itself is expected to meet strict sustainability criteria, aiming to be close to 100% carbon neutral and self-sufficient.
The approach was to locate the WMI on land with minimal agricultural value, immersing it into its surroundings and ensuring that it captured the dramatic views across the valley towards Mount Kenya. Dhk’s design features a welcoming, “democratic” space, sheltered by a canopy roof which is supported on tripod tree-like columns.
“Receiving this commission is a tremendous accolade to have received,” said Derick Henstra, chairman of Dhk Architects. “But perhaps more gratifying to us are the in-roads that we are able to make towards designing and building sustainable and environmentally responsible architecture here in Africa.”
Dhk Architects: www.dhk.co.za
