DMJ Architects & Interior Designers:
Adapting new trends in a changing world.
DMJ Architects was started in 1965 by Robert Marshall and Freddy Wilkinson. Today, the principal partner is Mr. Simon Johnson who joined the firm in 1978 and became a partner in 1980. He is assisted by a team of experienced consultants who include Mr. William Atkins, Mr. Per Geheb and Mr. Gilbert Njau.
The firm is famous for a wide range of projects from the Government of Kenya, international institutions and multinational companies. It is also present in Tanzania and Uganda. In addition, it has offices and associations in the UK, Botswana and Zambia. Together, the associates form DAG International. The associates include Carnell Green Partnership (UK), Dalgliesh Lindsay Group (Botswana & Zambia), MD Consultancy (Tanzania), Pro-Plan (Uganda) and Mruttu Salman Associates (Kenya). In Tanzania and Uganda, the firm’s work is undertaken by M D Consultancy and Pro-Plan respectively.
The principal services offered by DMJ Architects & Interior Designers include feasibility studies, master planning, outline proposal designs, scheme designs, detailed design and construction drawings, evaluation of tendering procedures, tender evaluation, contract administration of construction contracts and interior design services.
Projects
In Kenya, DMJ Architects & Interior Designers has been involved in a number of important projects some of which include Jogoo House, International Life House, Bruce House, Panafric Hotel, Bomas of Kenya, the Louis Leakey Memorial Centre, East Africa Industries and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Headquarters. Some of the recently completed projects in Nairobi include Eden Square Office Complex, Langham Court (an 84 unit apartment complex), Upper Hill Medical Centre, APA/Apollo Headquarters building in Westlands, an auditorium, library and women’s centre for Strathmore University, fit outs for the Royal Danish and Norwegian Embassies, auditoriums for the United States International University (USIU), Rosslyn Academy as well as the British Council and British High Commission in and Kisumu and a 100-unit housing complex on Mombasa Road. The firm is administering the second phase of Taarifa Gardens, a 90-unit apartment complex, shopping centres on Thika and Kiambu Roads and Lynwood Court, Waiyaki Way. The firm has designed a medical warehouse for MEDS on the Mombasa Road. The firm is currently designing an office building on Ring Road, Westlands.
In Tanzania, the firm, working under the auspices of the Dalgliesh Lindsay Group, was appointed by the Capital Development Authority in Dodoma to design a hotel in conjunction with Sheraton at the Mlima Hill. This is now the site for the PM’s residence which the firm has designed with M D Consultancy.
With MD Consultancy, the firm has completed Barclays House in Dar es Salaam, a refugee processing centre for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at Kibondo, the regional headquarters in Arusha for the Tanzania Revenue Authority, an office complex at Oyster Bay and additions to the Coral Beach Club at Msasani Bay and the IT College at Dodoma University. The firm also undertook the design and administration of the presidential complex at Chamwino, including the State and State Guest Lodges .Designs for a new office complex for NSSF in Arusha are well advanced as well as a Market Hall in Mwanjelwa, S. Tanzania.
Design philosophy
Over the years, DMJ Architects & Interior Designers has provided its clients with elegant, soundly constructed and cost effective buildings which take careful account of the climate and make sensitive use of local materials. The firm’s design philosophy has developed to take account of changing requirements. The firm continues to strive to influence its East African clients to adopt European trends and standards in both aesthetic and functional aspects of design without sacrificing the essential practicalities of operating in the African environment. Progressive design ensures a client long-term usability and flexibility to incorporate the changing needs of the developing commercial and corporate world, which has influenced new technology.
Competent staff
DMJ Architects & Interior Designers currently has a staff of 3 qualified architects, 6 architectural assistants and 5 administrative and other staff. Where additional expertise is required, the firm draws on the staff resources from DAG International.
Some recently completed projects by DMJ Architects & Interior Designers
1. Eden Square
In a class of its own, Eden Square has set a new benchmark for commercial buildings in Nairobi. It is located on Chiromo Road between the Museum Hill and Westlands roundabouts. Eden Square is uniquely positioned, offering the advantages of close proximity to the Westlands and Nairobi Central Business Districts, while avoiding the congestion and traffic of the urban environment.
Site plan
The building site is bounded by an existing commercial development, old style houses and the access lane off Chiromo. The buildings have been designed to create an internal space – the Square – protected from the traffic which provides an exclusive and secure address. This forms the entrance to the scheme with a landscaped piazza above a covered car parking. The piazza itself is landscaped with lawns, ponds and pools as well as a terrace for people to sit out. Deck level parking is primarily designated for visitors.
The building
The building comprises of three blocks forming the ‘L’ which creates the Square. The first building overlooks Chiromo Road and is seven floors of offices above street level with a lower ground floor, comprising covered car parking and tenants’ access to the core. This core is in the middle of the block with an atrium rising three floors creating the main entrance. The core and atrium have been designed to create a modern atmosphere with polished granite, steel and glass bridges and ‘hi-tech’ glazing.
The office zones on either side can be divided providing the possibility of four separate tenancies per floor. The core comprises the lift lobby – 3 lifts – stairs, washrooms (including a WC for the disabled) kitchen and cleaners store. The elevation facing Chiromo is screened with a glass curtain wall beyond the main face of the building to reduce solar penetration and traffic noise whilst also providing a powerful and distinctively modern facade. There is access to the fire escape stairs at each end of the building in addition to the main staircase in the core.
The second building forms the corner to the development and is four floors above the street. It has been consciously designed to create the signature or ‘light house’ for Eden Square. Curved steel and glass panels and inward sloping glazed elements establish this striking image. On top of the tower telecommunication masts complete the dynamic impact of the corner. This block is accessed from its own lobby with lift and stairs where guests enter from the piazza and tenants from the covered parking area below.
The block has its own washrooms, tea room and cleaners store. As with the first building there is access to stairs at each end of the office. The lower ground floor of this building contains the transformer, switch and standby generator rooms, water storage and pumps in addition to covered parking and a tenant access lobby.
The third building (phase two) is set perpendicular to Chiromo Road and is twelve floors. The format is similar to the first building with office zones either side of a central core.
2. Langham Court
Langham Court is located on Taarifa Road, off Forest Road, midway between Muthaiga and the City Centre in close proximity to Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi.
The complexThere are five buildings (three of six floors and two of four floors) set in landscaped gardens with a club house close to the main entrance. The ground floor of each building provides covered parking as well as a secure entry.
The character of the complex is a blend of traditional brick-work, colour rendered upper walling and low pitched wide eaved clay tile roofs. A carefully chosen palette of finishes has been selected to maintain a sense of sophistication.
The apartmentsThere is a mixture of two and three bedroom apartments. Both types have a generous living room opening on to a spacious balcony allowing residents to enjoy Nairobi’s special climate where out-door living is a year round reality. Kitchens have their own enclosed yard.
Each unit has a master bedroom with its own bathroom and a separate shower; some have walk in closets. The three bedroom flats have an email centre off the bedroom hallway. Living rooms and bedrooms have wood parquet floors whilst the kitchens, bathrooms and halls have ceramic tiled floors and walls.
Amenities
All apartments have controlled access that starts at the entrance to the complex. Residents control the ground floor entry with an electric lock operated from the intercom within each apartment. Other facilities include:
- A 300kva generator that provides full standby power (except cookers and hot water)
- Water reservoir – water is fed from a central tank where it is filtered before being pumped to each building. The site has its own borehole.
- Each apartment is prewired for 3 telephone lines, IT connection and for cable television
- The Club House has a clubroom, kitchen, aerobics studio, gym, steam and sauna and a 20-metre pooland play area. There is a cocktail lawn where a marquee can be set up.
- There are 190 car parking spaces.
