Coconut Shell Flooring for Affordable Housing in Kenya

Abstract

This study is based on the potential use of coconut shell waste for providing flooring solutions for the Affordable Housing Programme in Kenya. Research has shown that the husk takes eight years to decompose organically, which leads to poor disposal methods. Additionally, previous research shows that most uses of coconut shell waste are limited to product and jewellery design. Advancement in technology has proven that coconut shell waste can be used for creation of flooring, roofing and wall tiles. The problem of this study arises from poor disposal of coconut shells and the state of the housing crisis in Kenya. It was recognized that the government of Kenya had initiated The Affordable Housing Program in order to provide cost-friendly housing solutions for the low-income families in Kenya. One of the objectives of the program was to employ the use of local materials to promote the artisans in Kenya. The study was guided by the following key research question: How can coconut shell waste be used to produce interior flooring solutions that support affordable housing in Kenya? By prevalently applying qualitative research, the author used purposive and snowballing sampling methods to collect relevant research information. The study was predominantly based in Nairobi, however, there was initial reconnaissance involved in other coastal counties in Kenya such as Mombasa, Watamu and Kilifi. The subjects of this study were thirty, which included suppliers of construction materials, coconut-based furniture experts and professional interior designers based in Kenya. The main data collection tools involved were the use of Google Form questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The results of this study proved that despite being an excellent material, it was difficult to establish a key link with the AHP due to inaccessibility and unavailability of the tile. Nonetheless, it was established that the tile could still play a key role if further experimentation and production could be conducted for purposes of prototyping and mass commercialization.