ArchiAfrika-April-Magazine-English-final-v2

Conclusion
The available built heritage in Kenya
contains examples that represent all periods
of the global architectural and engineering
development from half the nineteenth century
and onwards. They are therefore a source of
inspiration for all generations of Kenyans,
including architects, landscapers and town
planners. Nobody needs to go overseas to see
the wide achievements which are alive around
us!
This article initially was written for the
magazine of the Architectural Association of
Kenya. By the lecture “Built Beauty” and this
article I hope to make the audience aware of
the quality of the built heritage and inspire an
affinity towards its protection and integration.
With a clear and active policy, we can
showcase such buildings to the public. And
by involving the many stakeholders we can
create a new form of architectural activism in
the region. Alongside this article a selection
of four Kenyan building examples is made to
illustrate the quality in various styles.
Before a policy and understanding of these
issues is successful, guidelines and a scrutiny
is required to recognise quality. May I invite
any professional in Africa to look around
with your experienced eye and see the beauty
surrounding us. Who wants to help developing
the recognition of the past among one’s peer
group as well as the general audience?
Left: Restaurant and bar near Njoro in a romantic rural
European style, roughly 1935, now abandoned.
Photographs by Janfrans van der Eerden
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