Home Afrika Morningside Office Park
Setting the Standards in Modern Office Complexes
The concept of office suites purpose built for sale is rapidly catching on in the local property market. Many developers are opting for this new style of doing business primarily because it is a much faster way of recouping costs, paying bank loans and making a quick profit. They also aim to disentangle themselves from the hassles of rent collection and possible future changes in land use.
The Home Afrika Morningside Office Park is going to be one the latest of such developments in Nairobi. Located on Ngong Road, the developer promises buyers of the office premises “the flexibility to balance your work-life with home-life and an exceptional lifestyle”.
This may not be an exaggeration. Designed by Archetype Architects’ Victor Nguta, the building is a state-of-the-art structure comprising five levels of offices on two wings and penthouses on the top floors. The largest of the four penthouses occupies nearly a quarter acre and has a lawn to give residents a homely atmosphere in a green environment. Each of the offices has its own bathrooms and kitchen.
The building is designed to have two wings, with three office suites on each of the wings.The two wings are connected by a central core and are served by three lifts, one of which is panoramic and faces a central atrium. The central core also has a staircase, and there are also two fire exit staircases at the ends of the wings. The atrium has natural lighting and is roofed by a large skylight on the penthouse level.
Safety measures in the building include pressurized fire escapes that would ensure no smoke entered the area in the event of fire. The building is also fitted with smoke sensors and automatic water sprinklers on all the floors. For the security of occupants, the building has a perimeter wall and electric fencing backed by CCTV surveillance. The building also offers the option of air- conditioning to the clients who would want it included after occupation. Window cleaning devices will also be installed in the building.
A 500 KVA generator will ensure that occupants will never have their operations interrupted by power outages. The developer is also drilling a borehole to guarantee a steady supply of water. A garbage chute will take refuse to the basement for collection and disposal.
There are more than 200 parking spaces on two levels; basement and lower ground levels. The building will also feature a cafeteria on the ground floor. The Morningside Office Park enjoys easy access from both Ngong and Kilimani roads, and will be manned via two gate houses on either roads. Street parking is available on Ngong Road. The project kicked off in July 2009 and is expected to be complete by September this year.
Challenges
According to Architect Nguta, a number of challenges have been encountered in executing this project. “During the geotechnical survey, the soil composition at the site was found to vary, necessitating modifications in structural designs when the excavations had began”, he says.
The perimeter wall would also require the Kenya Power & Lighting Company to shift two power poles. The company has been slow to respond. Owing to the tightness of the site (it measures one acre), the crane has to move over neighbouring property causing safety concerns. However, Architect Nguta says the matter has been discussed and resolved amicably between owners of the two properties. Despite these challenges, the architect is confident that the works will progress on schedule and the building handed over on time later this year.
About the Architects
Archetype Architects is a 15-year old consultancy started by Architect Victor Nguta in the mid-90s. The architect founded the practice after working for several years with leading firms in Nairobi – Triad Architects and DMJ Architects. Having started with humble projects, Archetype has now grown an impressive portfolio of projects that includes hotels, banks and industrial parks. The firm has undertaken projects in several other countries in East Africa including Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
In Tanzania, Archetype was behind the famous Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Mt Meru. The firm also designed Kibo Palace and Naura Springs, both of which are reputable establishments in the hospitality industry in Arusha. In Rwanda, the firm designed Safari Hotel and Lake Muhazi Resort amongst others.
Here in Kenya, Archetype has done a number of projects for Family Bank. On the industrial scene, the firm designed the Capital Industrial Park in Athi River’s Export Processing Zone amongst others. Architect Nguta praises Rwanda for its friendly business environment. “Approvals and licences are literally given as you wait”, he says, explaining why he and other businesses are fast establishing themselves in Rwanda.
Project Team
Consultants:
Client Project Managers: Home Afrika / Suburban Ltd
Lead consultants and project managers: Archetype Architects
Structural/ Civil Engineers: Armitech Consulting Engineers
Quantity Surveyors: Ojwang O Costing Masters & Associates
Services Engineers: Norkun Intakes Ltd
Contractors:
Main Contractor: Parbat Siyani Construction Ltd
Electrical Sub- Contractors: Reliable Electrical Ltd.
Mechanical Sub- Contractors: Trident Plumbers Ltd
Lifts Sub- Contractors: Marryat & Scott Ltd
Mechanical Ventilation: Raerex E.A. Ltd
Generator Sub- Contractors: Blackwood Hodge Ltd
CCTV Sub- Contractors: Wan Agencies Ltd
Window Cleaning: Triple Nine Associates
