The Casa SD Residence is situated along the tree lined suburb of Kyuna in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Inspired by the forgotten genre of Kenyan Modernism, the new villa emerges from its equatorial ecosystem to pay homage to local form, materiality and technique.
Inspired by the villa’s immediate surroundings, the material palette consists of concrete, natural stone, indigenous timbers and an assortment of local plant species.
The home features cantilevered concrete eaves that double up as landscaped rain collection vessels and architectural features that govern the intake of natural light into the internal spaces. Large permeable facades allow year-wide cross ventilation, whilst the careful placement of glass facades allows the house to soak up natural light.
On the exterior, the home is defined by the subtle use of local materials juxtaposed against its modernist form. A solid stone ground floor anchors a lime washed second floor. Natural borders, wood paneling and pivoting glass doors define the main facades, whilst the angled concrete planters cut the building mass and 'livens' it with humble landscaping.
From the East - the house presents itself as an impenetrable fortress, however, once one transitions from the out to in - a double heighted living space greets its occupants. A timber clad bulkhead sits on full length glass accordion doors - leading to the private and landscaped garden.
Beyond its physical attributes, the home is designed following the Indian philosophy of spatial systems - Vastu Shastra. In doing so, the home is experienced as a holistic collection of carefully curated spaces that are defined by energy, flow and balance. Coupled with the mild and welcoming climate of Nairobi, the home accommodates seamless transitions between the indoor and outdoor - allowing its residents an abundance of biophilic escapes.
Team:
Architect: Studio Mehta Architecture
Other participants: AOR: Planning Systems Ltd
Structural Engineers: Sutherland
Photo credits: Studio Mehta Architecture
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Split Face Yellow Stone from Mai Mahiu, Kenya
2. Flooring: Lime Stone, Kilifi Quarry
3. Doors: Solid Mvule Timber Doors
4. Windows: Double Glazed Aluminum, Alumil
5. Interior furniture: Doum Palm, Dumont
