3L Njumbi–Lavington

The house was constructed in 1986 and served as a residential building for roughly thirty-five years. The original structure was a simple building under a pitched gable roof finished with clay roofing tiles.

The existing home housed a lounge, a dining area and a kitchen, a guest bedroom, a master bedroom and two other bedrooms.

The client’s choice of construction was a maisonette. There was no preferred architectural style — the choice was for a unique style and design.

The general inspiration for the concept was coming up with a unique design and having naturally lit interior spaces.

“The layout for the Lavington design was pretty rectilinear and hence posed a serious challenge doing an impressive roof. The inspiring house gave me an idea of how to go about this, and that inspired the two pyramids on the roof — which was a total gamechanger.”

Njumbi Lane, Njumbi Road off Chalbi Drive, Lavington, Nairobi.

The neighbourhood, whose buildings carry outstandingly highly inclined roofs, inspired the design of the roof. Material finishes found within the context were carried into the house — clay tiles for the roofing, plaster and paint for the exterior and interior walls and ceilings, and bush-hammered stone for the walling.