African Union competition

Completed in collaboration with MRA and ARUP, the African Union headquarters in Nairobi was centred on the idea of harnessing air currents and harvesting rainwater to form cooling ponds for airflow across and up the building. On our first site visit, we experienced a cool, refreshing breeze that originated from the north-east and was channelled up the valley. This forged a concept of harnessing natural wind patterns as a primary ventilation and air conditioning system throughout the seasons. Wind roses and rain fall measurements were studied by the architects and engineers to capitalise on these resources and reduce the costs of servicing the building. Local Kikuyu vernacular architecture makes use of wind in the orientation of residential buildings. This indigenous knowledge is demonstrated in this contemporary context.