Green Buildings in Kenya
Green buildings are the buildings whose establishment and day -to -day activities enable environmental conservation, by facilitating efficient and least destructive use of land, water, energy and resources.
Dominic Mwangi
There are several elements of green buildings and include the following:
- They have substitute energy sources that are conservative to the environment.
- The location of the site should take advantage of the mass transit.
- High efficiency lighting systems should be used so as to reduce the electricity load.
- Materials used for construction should be efficient and enhancers of resource protection.
- Recycling water should be a consideration when plumbing.
Kenya’s real estate industry has been gradually joining other nations in the use and construction of environmentally sustainable architecture buildings. This trend has informed the scarcity of natural resources and the need to conserve the environment. Some of the green buildings in Kenya include;
University of Nairobi Towers
This is a 22 storey that is located in Nairobi CBD was construction was completed in August 2016. The tower has among other green building features; natural ventilation, natural lighting, acoustic and sound management and green material specifications. The project costed the university of Nairobi Ksh 2.5 billion. At the top of the building is a helipad that allows for land and departure of light helicopters.
Ewaso Nyiro primary school
This is a school located in Segera, Laikipia county. By 2014 it had been voted as one of the two greenest schools in the world and the second one is in Hong Kong. The school is hailed for its water harvesting techniques although it is located in a semi-arid area. Annually, the school collects over 350,000 liters of rain water. That are then filtered using clay-based system and then stored in an underground tank. The school is also naturally ventilated and has green lighting systems.
Strathmore university , phase 3
It was designed by Lexicon Architecture and has window facades to the north and the south which shields users from excess glare. Natural lighting and ventilation is a key element of the building. A high thermal mass walls and a natural cooling tower. Notably the buildings architecture has an energy efficient management system. There is also rain water harvesting, as well as waste water recycling systems. The building light color on the exterior reflects solar radiations which minimizes heat gain of the building.
UNEP building, Nairobi
This is one of the greenest building globally and has the United Nations Environmental Programm offices and the United Nations Habitat headquarters and it was purposely established as part of the UN Greening the blue initiative.
This building meets many green building standards among then low- energy lighting, rain water harvesting, energy efficient technology appliances, natural ventilation, water saving taps and natural air ventilation which facilitates cooling.
The Learning Resource Center, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
This building was completed for occupation in 2012 , and houses, a cafeteria, library, an up-to-date conference hall and a bookshop.
The building has basement level vents that initiate cooling of the facility. This air flows to the auditorium through various sets of vents. There are also thermal chimneys that allow escape of foul air. There is also natural lighting use and windows fitted to the north and the south thus reducing the excess glare to the users.
