Exterior walls highlighted by simple window treatment and effective triangular-patterns introduce a fine and stylish home. Straight from double front doors is the formal living area. Past the built-in book shelves of the family room is the hallway to the sleeping zone. To the other side is the formal dining with its half walls and tray ceiling. High ceilings and superb architectural planning contribute to the spaciousness of the interior. The living area is warmed by a fireplace as a sliding glass door provide views in all direction. Two bedrooms share a full bath and a closet linen. The kitchen is centrally placed and holds storage closets, an island cooktop and direct access to the outdoor covered patio. The island kitchen also serves a convenient snack bar, while the nearby formal dining room offers privacy and light from a bay window. A storage area at the back is accessed from outside and allows room for sports equipment and other items. A deck wraps around the sides to allow access from the master bedroom and from the living area. The dramatic foyer has a high ceiling and abundance of natural light. A master wing soothes the homeowner with a sumptuous bath, walk-in closet and inner retreat. Skylights and a bay window create a bright and cheerful breakfast nook next to the island kitchen. The living and dining areas offer space for formal entertaining. The master bedroom comes complete with spacious dressing room and vanity master bathroom. The plan offers a multiple storage area, open floor plan and much more while still being economical to build. The laundry room is steps away from the kitchen and the hall bath for easy clean up. Roof line is simple and extended down to create porches for enjoying gentle breezes and spectacular views. This design is the perfect mix of classic styling and modern interior spaces and features.
The need for proper access control and barricading buildings cannot be overemphasised.
Terrorism is an ever-evolving global phenomenon that is unlikely to go away any time soon.
At DusitD2, it emerged that certain features of the building may have taken the terrorists by surprise, in the process saving many lives.
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Last Saturday was greeted with joy and pride as Eliud Kipchoge, in typical fashion, once again put the country on the world map by doing what was thought impossible: running a marathon in under two hours.
As that ground-breaking event took place though, families of at least 10 General Service Unit (GSU) officers were in mourning. The lives of these police officers were brutally cut short after the vehicle they were travelling in ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Degoh Road in Garissa County, a device suspected to have been planted by Al Shabaab militants.
Such a brutal act reminds Kenyans about the ever present threat of terror that hangs perilously within the country’s borders.
WESTGATE ATTACK
From the Westgate attack to the Garissa University attack and recently the DusitD2 complex attack, Kenyans know what the face of terror looks like and the misery that it leaves in its wake.
While Kenya’s security forces’ response to such attacks seems to have improved over time, experts in the construction industry concur that much needs to be done in the built environment to complement their efforts. Terrorism is an ever-evolving global phenomenon that is unlikely to go away any time soon.
This being the case, pertinent questions emerge: are there certain architectural designs that make buildings vulnerable to terror attacks? Also, is there something that can be done to make sure that efforts by first responders save as many lives as possible in case of a terrorist attack carried out in a building? The answer is a big ‘Yes’.
In the wake of DusitD2 attack, like in many other similar attacks before this one, a common chronology of events is emerging.
It all begins with a few explosions near the entrance/exits, followed by heavy gunfire meant to spark confusion and send everyone scampering for safety without giving thought to whether they are running where the terrorists want them to run. And then the dreaded part, a face-to-face encounter with the terrorists.
TERRORISM
In an opinion piece in the Nation after the attack on DusitD2, security and terrorism analyst and consultant Mr Gitaa Nyasani urged the government to consider working “with construction industry stakeholders to come up with building design standards for mass public access facilities and venues such as shopping centres, incorporating practical and rapidly deployable isolation features during an attack.”
For instance, at DusitD2, it emerged that certain features of the building may have taken the terrorists by surprise, in the process saving many lives.
Large open plan office interior without people. PHOTO | AGENCIES
For instance, according to media reports, reinforced steel and glass doors barricaded the hostages and made it impossible for the terrorists to reach them. Additionally, automated security doors opened only by swiping tags denied the terrorists entry.
Speaking to DN2 from Australia, where he is based, Mr Nyasani said that his sentiments were intended to add to the richness of that debate and to make a contribution towards development of a comprehensive national counter terrorism response strategy.
Giving his professional view, Mr Francis Gichuhi, an architect and founder of architectural firm A4 Architects, says that a look at all the malls that have been hit by terrorist across the world reveals a similarity in design.
DESIGN
“There are certain building designs that can make the environment conducive for terrorist attacks,” he says. “When a building is designed like a fort and has a central core, that provides a perfect opportunity for terrorists to take as many lives as they can.”
To put it simply, in architecture, a core is a vertical space used for circulation and services. It is also referred to as a circulation core or service core.
It may include staircases, elevators, and risers, which allow people to move between the floors of a building, and distributes services efficiently to the floors. Often, this is where electrical cables and water pipes pass through.
Mr Gichuhi expresses concern that a majority of hotels, shopping malls and key buildings are built around a central core, making then very vulnerable to terror attacks.
According to him, terrorists are less likely to attack a building where there is more visibility from the outside. He gives the example of Galleria shopping mall, located at the Junction of Magadi and Lang’ata Road, where the circulation spaces as well as the balconies are visible from the outside.
Mr Kevin Oduor, principal architect and CEO of Do Design Consultants (DDC Architects) agrees with Mr Gichuhi in regard to visibility.
HIDEOUS PLANS
He says, “When someone is seated in an open space where one can see what’s happening around them, they tend to feel safe as opposed to when they are in a fully enclosed space where they can’t see what’s happening outside. An attacker will favour a place with less natural surveillance to execute their hideous plans.”
Yet another building that comes up in the discussion is The Hub Karen. The availability of spaces between the blocks, Mr Gichuhi says, provides circulation points, denying a criminal the opportunity to seal off the whole building like they did at DusitD2 hotel and West Gate Mall.
In the aftermath of the US Embassy attack in Nairobi in 1998, a US law required new embassies to be built at least 30 meters (100 feet) away from the nearest road. And it is easy to see why.
Mr Nyasani points out a notorious modus operandi for the Al Shabaab.
“They use vehicles laden with high explosives to ram and breach security barriers, a tactic that is in the DNA of their modus operandi. This tactic has been used with devastating efficiency while targeting prominent buildings such as hotels and markets in and around Mogadishu as well as when targeting AU Mission forces in Somalia.”
4 bedroomed Maisonette at Kinoo, Waiyaki way. Kes 9m
This home seamlessly combines elements from the urban home style to create a wonderfully quaint design.
This home has a combination of living room and well sized bedrooms with large linen on the second floor which share a jack and Jill bath.
It also has a useful and connected car garage at the ground floor level.
The master suite invites you to relax in luxurious bathroom with two sinks, large shower and separate tub.
The master suite also has barn doors which open to two walk-in closets.
The laundry room sits just steps away on first floor. The plan makes use of space and provides an island with an eat at the bar kitchen.
The kitchen features a prep sink on the island plus a walk-in pantry. The layout draws you into a great room where a brick accent wall and two sets of French doors add elegance.
A welcoming porch wraps around the front with another back porch in back for outdoor grilling fun. The porches are large and have an open design which facilitates comfortable living as well as terrific entertaining space.
Every bedroom has a high level wall closet.
The great room and entry feature a vaulted ceiling that is 14 feet high.
The house has many features such as window seats, stair tower, lots of storage, bathroom skylights, double vanities and other built-ins. The fireplace provides a cozy ambience in the great room. In the main gathering spaces, the plan ensures there is interaction with family and friends while cooking, eating or hanging out.
The great area is flooded with light from the wall of the floor to the ceiling windows. The main master bedroom receives abundance of natural light through French doors that lead directly to the rear balcony.
The ground floor can be completed to meet any additional space.
Step inside and find where every inch has been incorporated into functional spaces.
This home plan was designed to bring out a house character that is expressed in the continuing connection of interior and exterior spaces.
Spacious kitchen and great room were designed as one space in an open floor design.
The positioning of windows allows continuing sunlight in the house.
The main living room has a higher ceiling thus increasing the volume of the space.
The master bedroom is located separately from the living area to allow privacy.
The master suite also has a bright bay window, two walk-in closets and a comfortable bath.
The second bedroom offers a vaulted ceiling. The house layout has flexibility of options and extra rooms could be extended if necessary.
A small fireplace is tucked in the corner of the great room.
The laundry room features include a large sink for cleaning.
The kitchen has plenty of space with both an island and a counter that serves the great room.
The windows and glass doors are secured with sliding shutters.
Multiple French doors lead to large veranda. The simple forms, shed roof and vaulted ceiling contribute to modern style with lots of light and air.
A vaulted ceiling adds volume to the great area and columns and a bay window add distinction to the dining room.
The sunny communal space provides casual and durable settings for large gatherings.
A sky lit back porch adds charm and expands living space. This architectural design was created as a mix between modern luxury and affordability.
The roof design allows collection of rainwater which can be used for garden landscaping. The pitched roof features brings water to a single downspout. With ample pantry space and built ins, the architectural design can meet the needs of most demanding entertainers.
The openness of living room creates a great flow between different lifestyle activities.
Modern architectural design can feel light and bright as this design proves.
The house is full of wonderful nooks and crannies.
The main living level connects to the street with a front porch and a dining room opens up to views of the backyard with a double height open kitchen and living room connected to an elevated back deck.
All the spaces are compact but still big and well enough laid out to work properly.
The kitchen maximizes space and includes a dishwasher, full size oven and inbuilt microwave.
The upstairs bedrooms have a sloped ceiling on the sides and closets positioned in the lower ceiling space.
This design offers abundant open-air living by the way of an outdoor kitchen, veranda and cabana with fireplace off the great room at the rear of the house.
This home is designed to be low maintenance and energy efficient.
The walk-in pantry is adjacent to the kitchen, the laundry is in the downstairs bedroom wing. As you enter the living room an expansive wall of glass is displayed as the main feature in the room. The main master suite, laundry facilities and guest rest room allow for home-owners to comfortably entertain and age in place.
The master suite is designed to pamper with two closets, twin vanities, a separate shower and a garden tub.
At the first level of house folding doors opens up from the living room to the back deck. The extended overhangs at the high point of the roof provide shading and weather protection for the windows on both first and second floor. The first-floor design was built to maximize the openness of this plan and still allowing for functional built-ins and unique features.
The most captivating interior feature of this plan will be seen upon entering the living room. The living room has a cavernous space that is flooded with natural light to the large amount of glazing on the back wall.
This design provides a wonderful fluidity throughout the apartment.
The plan holds 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in every floor apartment.
Each floor apartment contains an outdoor patio for breath of fresh air.
A hallway, abundant with closets, connects you through guest bedrooms, kids’ bedrooms, guest/kids’ bathrooms which has a linen closet, and finally the master bedrooms.
The master bedrooms are equipped with private bathrooms, walk – in closets and large windows to capture savoy sunshine.
The master bedrooms also have tray ceilings and access to rear porches.
The master bathrooms have luxury and convenient large showers and private access to utility rooms.
The living rooms are well ventilated from the patio doors and spacious enough for furniture arrangement.
The ample living rooms have wonderful windows , lit shelves and creates a multi-functional work spaces.
The car garages on the ground floor level offer extra storage spaces for a workshops or lawn equipment.
The kitchens are open to the main living rooms creating a communal indoor environment. The kitchen islands can serve as a refreshment bar for those coming from backyard.
The kitchens have ample counter spaces that wraps around central breakfast bar. An attached dining room rests off to the sides.
The kitchens have appliances features such as in-wall ovens and microwaves, gas ranges and overhead vents.
The quartz counters and table materials tie the two surfaces together and allow the dining tables to double as kitchen island.
The windows on either side of the rooms admits ample natural light minimizing the use of artificial lighting during the day. The windows nook at the end of closets blocks are the perfect retreat at the end of a day.
A large mudroom adjacent to the garages allows for extra storage and laundry areas as well as desks space. Several built-in features provide efficient and stylish storages and functionalities.
This modern house is designed to fulfill luxurious living needs and allow owners live comfortably in a well-designed living environment. This house plan consists of 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, spacious kitchen and a great living room.
The master bedroom is located separately upstairs to allow privacy and comfort. The master suite has its own bathroom and closet. The storage room is located at the front of the house.
Indoor- outdoor living on two floors with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths is what this plan entitles.
Extra amenities include walk in pantry, laundry, abundant open-air living by the way of an outdoor kitchen. The great room is straight ahead. At the middle the island kitchen flows into the opening dining area.
There is also full guest or kids’ suites downstairs. The entry level garage can be transformed into additional room or to form huge open space. The spacious living room, kitchen and dinning will work great for any lifestyle.
Large windows on either side enhances good ventilation as well as capturing views in a different direction providing continuing light in the house . Cross ventilation ventilator provides a constant balanced supply of fresh air.
The staircase to the second floor ends up in generous family room. The living room has higher ceiling which increases volume of the space and its openness creates a flow between different living and lifestyle activities. The roof design allows collection of rainwater.
Open shelving and a complete D.I.Y are the cost saving design options. The D.I.Y kitchen option has a rustic style and industrial strength. Framed walls enhance a series of bays for the refrigerator and cooking area. Emphasis on passive solar techniques include large shaded glazing areas which are shaded through the use of covered entryways. The goal during this home plan was to choose durable materials and that will give the house a modern character.
This plan is ideal for 4 bedroom house modern family.
The plan has 4 bedrooms, one master bathroom, large common room and a spacious car garage.
The layout makes it possible for home owners who value durable and high quality construction.
This home has features such as large areas of glazing, window shading devices and super insulated construction options.
The large glass windows and doors provide the common room with light.
The master bedroom is easy to reach on the main floor and sits next to a full bathroom.
The other bedrooms can hold kids or guests. It’s designed for indoor-outdoor living and entertaining all through the year round.
It is filled with other features like, lots of storage, walk-in closets, double pantries, kitchen island and other in-builts.
The simply elegant design with many features throughout makes this massionate a place you will want to call home.
The main living level connects to the street with a front porch and a dining room, opens up a kitchen and living room connected to an elevated back-deck.
The kitchen flows into spacious common room where a fireplace is a focal point. The ceiling throughout the main living rooms creates an impressive space.
The main level master suite and other bedrooms allows the home owners to comfortably age in place. Roof line is simple.
This simple shape and D.I.Y options makes this an affordable home plan.
Relax in the master suite tub where a bayed window gives a view of backyard.
There are also sinks, separate showers and french doors to the rear porch. Bump outs are kept to a minimum.
Less waste and complication lead to savings that can be put into extra high end finishes. The laundry room is conveniently located down the hall. The main entry to the common room is between the dinning and living areas.
4 bedroomed Maisonette at Kinoo, Waiyaki way. Kes 9m4 bedroomed Maisonette at Kinoo, Waiyaki way. Kes 9m
Architecture.
This architectural house plan is designed to fit within a narrow plot where land value is high , hence need to make use of available space economically.
Fit within a 1/8th plot.
The architectural plan is arranged such that 4 such units can easily fit within a 1/8th plot and still leave enough space in the front for 3 car parkings and a sizeable space in the rear for the back yard.
Internal Rooms.
a4architect.com has designed this to ensure ample natural light and ventilation in all rooms and spacious room arrangement for the internal spaces.
The living room is located in the 1st floor level. The kitchen is also located at the 1st floor level. The 2nd and 3rd floor levels contain 2 bedrooms each.
The top floor is an open garden to be used as a relaxation space and for hanging clothes to dry.
On the ground floor level, there is a car parking space and a servants quarters room self contained.
Construction technology.
This house can be constructed using the normal reinforced concrete support frame or using pre engineered building method using steel structure.
For architectural design and construction costs, feel free to email info@a4architect.com.
