Masai Conservation Centre
The entrance to the centre draws directly from the architecture of Masai ‘enkaji’ huts, in which a ‘snail shell’ plan form encloses a doorway perpendicular to the building’s primary elevation. Externally this arrangement encourages visitors to approach along the façade before arriving at a sheltered entry – human activity animating the elevations. Internally this concept serves as a natural progression of the radially organised spaces around a courtyard.
The courtyard is the focal point of the main exhibition space, introducing day light into the centre of the plan, and creating opportunities for natural ventilation and outdoor cafe steating. An exposed timber frame defines covered outdoor spaces around the perimeter – trusses and natural stick cladding are the main architectural expression of the building. Each facade is composed of transparent and solid screen cladding, giving the overall elevation a semi-transparent appearance between trusses that references patterns found in traditional Kenyan ‘shuka’ garments.
Internally all services, fixed elements and storage provision are consolidated into an elongated core, which also acts as a platform for roof spaces above, and a deep wall creating a degree of acoustic separation between public spaces and the classroom. This approach offers flexibility of internal arrangements, as partitions within the public areas can be rearranged to suit specific requirements.
A rammed earth plinth encircles the perimeter to form exterior spaces directly adjacent to internal counterparts. The plinth helps ground the building, providing a degree of separation from the landscape to the north, and defines the approach ramps and steps to the south. Above this a braced timber frame supports the roof trusses that complete the structural system.
