Kenya is filled with so many beautiful architectural wonders
About a week ago, the Daily Nation published an article on
Kenya’s top 15 buildings; this was one of the most comprehensive lists of the
recent times.
Motivated by the list which is based on a survey by the
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and the National Museums of Kenya,
Daily Kenya has come up with a list of top 20 ancient and modern buildings in
the country.
Going by the top 15 list, Daily Kenya agrees with KICC remaining
the best building in the country. Kipande House and Co-operative House come
second and third respectively in contrast with the third and fourth position
they received in the list. Without doubt, Parliament Buildings is a great
building but takes position four in the top 20 list.
Another change in the list is where Holy Family Basilica
takes fifth position while Coca-Cola headquarters come sixth. The rest remains
unchanged with addition of five others.
Here are the top 20 buildings in Kenya:
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| Image courtesy of wondermondo.com |
1. Kenyatta
International Conference Centre (KICC)
Completed: 1974 Floors:
30 Height: 105m (344ft) Located: City Hall Way
Architect: Norwegian Karl Henrik Nostvik
Very few people hardly miss the opportunity to take a photo
of this impressive landmark when they visit.
The structure, which hosts various international conferences
and seminars, gives one of the best views you can get in town. On a clear day, you
can get a glimpse of Africa’s second-highest mountain, Mt. Kenya from its helicopter-landing
zone.
KICC has no air conditioning system;
it uses natural air flowing from the ‘fins’.
The hut shaped amphitheater was
added as an afterthought.
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| Image source: Architecturekenya.com |
2. Kipande House
Completed: 1913 Floor:
One-Storey Located: Kenyatta Avenue and
Loita Street
Architect: Gurdit Singh
Kipande House, which is currently occupied by the Kenya
Commercial Bank, originally served as a warehouse for Coolies (Indian manual laborers
who worked in the Kenya-Uganda Railway).
This historical masterpiece was where Kenyans were once
required to be registered and issued with identity cards (IDs) referred to as ‘Kipande’
in Swahili; hence the name Kipande House.
The one-storey building that sports
a quirky tower was Kenya’s tallest building until City Hall was opened in 1935.
It was declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO.
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| Image Source: proudlyafrican.info |
3. Co-operative Bank House
Completed: 1981 Renovated: 2002 Floor: 27 Height: 83m (272ft) Located: Haile Selassie
Avenue
Architect: Zevet Kenya Architects and Engineers
Popularly referred to as ‘Bell Bottom House’ is another
modern architectural masterpiece that survived the 1998 US Embassy bombing. Following
renovations in 2002, Co-operative Bank returned to its original premises.
Resembles the ‘Flare’ trousers that
were the fashion trend in the seventies.
Constructed by Israel’s largest
construction conglomerate, Solel Boneh International.
