Kenya Social Housing

This social housing development model is designed to change a common view on social housing blocks, mostly associated with dull and grey shades. The bright and cheerful colours of the buildings make it quite a vibrant development. Aimed to be realized in order to ease a shortage of housing in Kenya, this urban development model is spread over 10 hectars with an overall residential area of 6 hectars. An overall built up area includes 20 building models which comprises 2940 apartments and expected to accommodate approximately 10600 habitants.

Considering the in-depth study on housing production, materials and construction methods in Kenya, we created a homogeneous built environment made up of series of buildings ranging from 21 to 36 storeys in height. This staggered height plan considers modes of living and urban forms that form a city. Precast construction system provides an economy of construction by reducing costs and waste. The repeating colourful pattern in blank sides of each building unit in random gradient scattered squares as well as randomly coloured loggias mark the unity of the design. The building modules are arranged in such a manner to create internal public yards which serve as recreational and communicational cores.

The apartments are divided in four typologies:

A) 3-bedroom apartments of 72 sqm;

B) 2-bedroom apartments of 56 sqm;

C) 1-bedroom apartments of 36 sqm;

D) Studio apartments of 22 sqm.

All four types of apartments are repeated on each floor by alternating sequence. The vertical communication core is located in the center of the building creating a common corridor surrounded by the apartments.

The project contains green and open public spaces, allowing the habitants to socialize with each other, as well as a wide public area consisted of recreational, educational and sport facilities.