Incorporating Biophilic Design in Modern Apartments Spaces in Kileleshwa.

Abstract

Urbanization in Kenya is growing at an extra ordinary rate. Construction has become two-fold and Nairobi has expanded to additional counties as a metropolitan city. Exclusive estates like Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Lavington and Riverside have seen a construction boom in apartments. The demand for these estates is due to their proximity to the Central Business District. This is also after the deregulation of the zoning laws in 2004 and 2012 by the Nairobi County Government to allow apartments with more floors from pressure by developers. Townhouses that existed before in these areas were demolished for tall apartments to cater to the market demand for housing and the new emerging middle class in Nairobi. This massive construction boom has led to a congestion of structures in these once prestigious estates. Increased floors and apartments that take up small spaces has become the norm. Developers have tried enticing homeowners with modern designs, well-furnished modern materials and finishes but the apartments still fall short in terms of catering to the occupant’s wellbeing. The apartments have small spaces are congested lacking privacy and there is an alienation from the natural environment. The objectives of the research were to examine whether biophilic design was considered in the design process for the apartment spaces in Kileleshwa ward and if not, how the existing spaces affect the wellbeing of its occupants. The researcher came up with a logical framework for the study. This would act as a guideline for collection of data and analyzing the data using knowledge of proponents of Biophilic design. A Case study research design was employed and research was mainly a qualitative study. Data was obtained through survey method by using online questionnaires, photographs and desktop review study. The location under study was Kileleshwa ward where apartment’s data was gotten from the apartments, occupants and design professionals. The results of the study revealed that designers and developers had to consider new ways of integrating natural environments in the existing apartments in Kileleshwa ward, maintenance of the natural features and considerations of the wellbeing of the occupants should always be at the center front of the design of an apartment space. The research also established the developers had to create new marketing and business strategies in terms of what they were offering occupants by having a selling point of the occupant’s welfare in mind and using the features of the natural environment. The findings established that biophilic design was partially used in some of the apartments while in some spaces and it was non-existent due to inadequate space to execute, lack of funds, design restrictions by the client and a conservative design approach by the designers. The biophilic attributes needed maintenance and occupants complained of noise and dust pollution, small spaces, lack of privacy, poor external views and lack of proper natural day lighting entering their interior spaces. The study findings noted that the poorly maintained external spaces were rarely in use and a majority of the occupants noted that the natural environment was decreasing around their neighborhoods. The findings from the professions revealed that knowledge of biophilic design was inadequately informed to different players. These were clients, developers and other professionals. The study recommended designers to take responsibility and make bigger positive impact by designing buildings incorporating the natural environment, for a healthier fulfilling life for the occupants. There should be an awareness on biophilic design knowledge and its positive environmental impact on the well-being of housing occupants. Green spaces, water features and indoor landscaping should be well maintained by apartment owners during the restoration of the natural environment.