Month: December 2019

Real Estate Industry in Kenya. 2019 summary and 2020 trend predictions.

Bank loans.

The year 2019 has seen the bank interest rate cap removed .

Currently, banks such as Barclays bank are on 12.75% with NCBA bank are on 13% interest rates for construction financing.

During the period of interest rate caps, banks shied away from lending to citizens, leading to a reduction in the number of construction projects financed around the country. With this new interest rate cap removed, 2020 will see an increased construction hence a good year fro those in the construction industry such as hardware shops, building contractors and real estate agencies.

Technology.

Use of specialized steel scaffolding as opposed to using timber poles and planks is on the increase with the ban on forest cutting by Government.

Prefabricated panel housing has been on the decline after a few Government agencies used cement board panels for construction and it was found to be generally more expensive than using the traditional stone. Stone is lower cost and more superior in quality than the cement board panels.

Worldwide, prefabricated panel housing is still much cheaper since most countries such as China produce the materials locally. Prefabricated housing becomes expensive in Kenya due to high import duty and higher labour cost associated since most local fundis do not have the know how to construct using this method.

3 d technology.

3 D printing of building materials for facades and decorations is now on the increase. Alot of Kenyan entrepreneurs have set up 3d cutting shops in the city to serve the citizenry.

This technology will continue to flourish throughout 2020 since its cost effective and gives out a much neater work which makes lots of value for the developers.

Worldwide, 3D printing of complete houses will be in high gear . Kenya will have to wait for a few years for the 3d printing machines for complete houses to be affordable and be shipped to our country.

Solar and Wind Energy.

Wind farms in Kenya, Ngong hills and Turkana areas are now operational and are feeding lots of power to the national grid.

Solar farms are also coming up and hopefully by 2020, it will be possible for individual solar farm owners on their building rooftops to sell off power into the KPLC National grid like it happens in Europe.

Construction costs.

Cost of cement and steel has stabilized for the last 5 years with no major increase. The recent phase out of twisted steel reinforcement bars and introduction of ribbed steel reinforcement bars has causes a slight increase in cost of steel.

Architectural design.

The skyscape around the country is now being beautified by unique designs such as theis building coming up opposite KICC, between Police building and Deputy Presidents office along Harambee avenue.

The year 2020 will have such unique architecture funded locally as opposed to the current box-lie buildings that have come up along Ngong Road and Hurlingham funded from overseas/China where the uniqueness and architectural novelty has not been considered much.

 

Locally funded projects usually have a more rigorous competiton-like selection of the architectural design, resulting in better looking buildings.

 

Architect Francis Gichuhi kamau.

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0721410684

FLOOR DESCRIPTION

The constructive design provides outstanding fluidity all through the house. As you walk in through the front door you will discover a spacious living room which opens up into a well- appointed kitchen and dining area which are lavishly connected. There is a pantry, plenty counter-tops and cabinet space then finally utility closet with full size dish washer. The floor plan comes with a master bedroom and other two bedroom. The bathroom for the other two bedrooms is conveniently accessible from the bedrooms and has a linen closet. The master suite of this floor plan is equipped with a private full bathroom, walk- in closet and a massive window to capture savoy sunshine. The living room is well lit and well enough for a myriad furniture arrangement. You can also easily rearrange the furniture on the plan to correlate various layouts and choose the perfect arrangement. The floor plan presents each room dimensions, wall partitions, windows, and the position of electrical outlets and switches. There is a porch which make the living room to be extra lighted thus granting indoor-outdoor living. Spacious gourmet kitchen holds an island best for preparing food and casual dining. The floor plan comes with a car garage behind the two other bedrooms. Spacious laundry room from the main area of the house as from the master closet. Wet bar at the living room grants tremendous entertainment. The floor plans offers an expansive rooms in case of extra rooms are recommended. The master bedroom closet is expansive too. A den with closet and double doors is at the exterior of the house. With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths this floor plan makes a home excellent for a growing family which admires to have a gorgeous amount of space.

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Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

PLAN DESCRIPTION

This plan comes with 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms, slight allure that is well lit and spacious for the family to enjoy. The lines between indoor and outdoor living are aimlessly softened with its all access alfresco. Upstairs there is 3 bedrooms where the kids have their own space to relish, each bedroom is executed with a built in robe with sliding doors. Beside the open plan living area you can keep an eye on the little ones while you cook up in the kitchen. With an immense alfresco space there will at no time be a guest limit as you cheer up them like a pro in your home. The kitchen accomplishes the entertainer’s delusion with a large Caesar stone bench top offering you luxury room to whip up your signature dish. The hooked up cookery lets you stock all the supplies while keeping the kitchen to appear organized.  Also in the kitchen there is an extensive walk in pantry to store snacks and spices. The master suite has a sizable walk in robe ensuring that space is not a matter. At the facade of the home is a family quiet and spacious film room which is the right place to watch your cherished shows. The project blurs the borderlines between indoor and outdoor with wrap around alfresco doors. The upstairs bedrooms have a fancy ceilings and walk in wardrobes and they share a bath. The open layout displays great sight lines from the foyer all the way over the great room where a pair of French doors open to the grand porch. Major ceiling throughout add up an outstanding floor plan that also includes a recreation room with built-ins and a nook with a bow window. Upstairs has a loft, a balcony and deck that bid views of the courtyard from different viewpoints.

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Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

PLAN DESCRIPTION

This appealing apartment technique features one bedroom, one bath, a kitchen and a great living area in every unit for the whole apartment. A pair of French doors edge from the large living area to the rear lanai. The major great rooms has a vaulted ceilings and massive sliding doors to enter to the grand outdoor entertaining space. The porch at the front contributes to a restricted appeal inviting you to sit a spell. The great rooms progress into the dining rooms and kitchen for a breezy vibe. The epicure kitchen is furnished with a butcher like island, food prep sink, walk in pantry, cooktop counter and a snack bar.  The kitchens are lightened by a bayed windows. The bathrooms have a natural stone floors, custom cabinets, granite countertops, garden tub, dressing area as well as a separate shower. Beyond the grand exterior the design presents all types of get together from family chats in the kitchen to swanky barbecue that make usage of the wet bar and the living rooms extraordinary spaces. Head outside where the outdoor kitchens and two levels of spaces to ramble around develop an ideal way to enjoy sun shine. The living rooms grants a fireplace, a built in entertainment focus and sets of double doors which lead outside to the vaulted lanai. The apartment has spiral staircase that leads to upstairs floors. The bedrooms blurs with walk in closets with an island and windows and an enjoyment room that can be a serene sitting room. A row of delineating arches and built- ins are lavish details in the living rooms. Exceptional sightlines all over the apartment brings a sense of openness. Don’t miss the well-organized laundry rooms. Outside the double doors, cozy room encourages snuggling. Stone accents, distinctive columns, spectacular windows all over the apartment add sense to the exterior which is prevailed by a welcoming wraparound porches.

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Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

PLAN DESCRIPTION

This design demonstrates a living room with a bountiful seating, modern kitchen, 3 bedrooms where the master bedroom is suitable for king sized bed. The main doorway is from the front of the building via the living room with a supplementary entrance over the covered kitchen verandah. The extensive verandah can be converted into a relaxing area or an outside living area where people can relax and enjoy the sunlight. The open living room outflows as planned into the dining area and then to the kitchen. Modesty in the design grants the construction costs to be low while still maintaining the dazzling appearance. The plan is ascendable and can be lengthened to accommodate number of rooms without having any effect on the structure. The bedroom brings up a great view out of substantial French windows set on a separate sides of the room. A full dimension and elevation panorama window connects the living area to the covered verandah enabling an inside-outside space. The living room has a great windows giving light for those foggy days and a chilly breeze for those blazing summer. The gorgeous master suite holds a walk-in closet, shower and a bathtub. The two other bedrooms share a bath. The kitchen bluster generous counter space, an island snack bar and a walk-in pantry. A fair separation is drawn via the middle of the building to separate exclusive bedroom areas and the kitchen, dining and living rooms. High ceiling in the major living areas give extraordinary space thus better air circulation. This model is planned to fit in whichever narrow the plot is hence excellent for family living. The great room illustrates wall segments that make the interior spaces flow out to the roomy open floor foyer. An absolutely luxurious piece of architecture for high-end living.

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Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

 

 

 

 

 

PLAN DESCRIPTION

The floor plan assimilates two bedrooms per floor where the main room has in-built robe and ensuite, study nook, a contemporary kitchens with characteristic appliances, fancy bathroom, a cleverly covered laundry and spacious living/dining area all over the apartment. The lavishly pleasing interior flows effortlessly from the accessible living spaces to the private covered balconies from which can admire the views of nature. With its pleasant sense of the community and moments to the shops, eateries and transport this apartment provides all the aspects for loosening up, enjoyment and easy living. The bedrooms are richly decorated and an open plan living spaces awash with natural brightness from the extensive angled windows. The master suites are exhausted with walk-in robe, tray ceiling, large windows and opulent ensuite tub with a soaking tub and independent glass shower hence ensuring that parents have a private space where they can relish the view. The modernized, sleek and stylish kitchens outflows through to the dining/living room and rear patio. The kitchens are arrayed with premium finishes and fixtures with characteristic white vanish cabinets, bluestone counters and professional-grade appliances. Crusty white walls, timber floors and high ceilings offer a design as timeless as the shimmering view. The sedative vista captured via the extensive utilize of glass will help you to forget about city stress. With eco-friendly sensible design that increases home efficiency this stylish apartment provides enough space for entertainment. The apartment has a sweeping staircases that leads from one floor to another. The family living rooms have marble fireplaces and French doors to the courtyard. Sliding doors in the dining rooms displays views while clearing up the apartment to more light and air.  The screened porch is warmed by a fireplace. The apartment design still offers relaxed outdoor-focused living and luxury of gracious touches.

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Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

 

 

 

 

 

PLAN DESCRIPTION

This plan comes with 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, 2 baths and dining room. A concealed lanai with kitchen and grill area is positioned at the rear of the house and connected to the living room on one side. An alluring yard embraces you when approaching. Great windows on sides bring natural light into the rooms limiting the need for electric light. The lavish master suite has a bath, a whirlpool tub a shower and a walk-in closet. A lobby separates the dining room and the kitchen which consist of a walk-in closet thus easily serves the cavernous dining area. Each bedroom has a stylish ceiling treatment and generous windows where the other 2 bedroom share a bath with separate tub, toilet room and a private closets. The other two bedrooms line up along the back of the house and grant access to side deck. The facade verandah offers a perfect outdoor living. An appealing transition area connects the living room and the outdoors by use of covered pergola. Great care has been taken to ensure that the most imperative elements are incorporated in the design to persuade and minimize construction cost. The clarity of this design will not only make this home economical but a big home for your family. The open layout of the living area develops the feeling of unrivaled spaciousness. The open grand room allow for cheering and family communication and the rear porch grants an optional cooking area. This plan is prerequisite and exclusive to a brilliant living background. There is consistent something for everybody as for this plan involves many varying features such as the beautifully designed window arches. The convenient mudroom retains things clean and organized in times of busy transition. A lofty ceiling in the great room incorporates with bountiful windows for an airy feel.

info@a4architect.com

Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

 

 

 

 

PLAN DESCRIPTION

This plan comes with basic core window plan near the great room ceiling that provides the house with natural light. The privacy managed by well defined bedrooms are all welcome and have their own wing for privacy. The fancy en suite bulges from the back of the home. The master suite has a fireplace, walk-in shower and a spa tub. The main portion of this house has an open layout which is great for relaxing. The main living room has a screened porch and a lot of open decks. Across the house three bedrooms share a bath. The kitchen has a tremendous island and bar of windows that overlook the sun deck. The island has a double-sink and dishwasher and has space for casual sitting on the family side. The kitchen also has a walk-in closet hidden by cabinet doors. The entrance foyer grants priority to the vaulted ceiling where sliding doors bring in light and give access to the back terrace. An extensive mudroom with built-in seats and cubbies serves a considerable space transition. The dining free up into open living area with brick accent wall and raised ceiling. The master suite has a vaulted ceiling and accessibility of having access to the laundry room via a walk- in closet. The back porch is spacious and has an optional outdoor kitchen. Barn doors glide open and closed in the walk- in pantry and a comfy home office has a built-in wrap around with a window. The rear concealed porch holds a built-in buffet for dinning and entertaining outside. Great porches both front and back give you space to enjoy fresh air. The dining room sits contiguous to the kitchen and overlooks a great back porch with an outdoor kitchen uplifting your vacation entertaining experience.

info@a4architect.com

Architect, Francis Gichuhi Kamau

LED Christmas Lights decorations. Runda. Puffin Drive.

Snake lights. XMas tree design.