first things first KUMEKUJWO!
Back to business
@ Mukiha; you have raised a few issues but for your information,it goes beyond architects. Maybe the 6 YEAR training just takes a toll.
1. I will NEVER sell my designs online why?
(a) Kenyans looooooooooove pirating stuff so i won’t waste time uploading stuff that will just be downloaded by people who then pay technicians/draughts men to churn out working drawings.
(b) Most clients will come to you and say nataka design kama hii ya so and so and they want you to modify it so why cant i just wait?
(c) Regardless of whether i sell you designs online you will still have to go for approvals from the local authorities(Municipality/county councils) and therein lies the REAL MESS.
The rules are so rigid with numerous red tapes awaiting at every stage tailored to squeeze cash from the clients.
(d) The building code is standard in kenya(obsolete by the way) but most of the local authorities have their own numerous by laws that affect design so prototypes may not always work.
WAY FORWARD;
1. The AAK is already pushing for reforms especially at City Hall Nairobi so that the approval process can be done at the various departments and tracked online accordingly.... BUT...The level of resistance is SUPER STIFFFF,yes its because the guys at city hall rake in as much as 200k per project depending on size and location. the alternative is of course your approvals dragging for even 2 years!!
If the City Hall is fixed there will no doubt be a very big difference in the construction industry in kenya.
my experience;
Most kenyans like cheap stuff so they always seek shortcuts and eventually pay more when things get messed up. Professional input always pays off in the long run especially in real estate. By the way,A four storey building has just collapsed this afternoon in Mombasa n my guess is as good as yours...Cheap is expensive.
In terms of design,what you call 'customized' design is a must. A building must be suited for its own unique setting for it to function well holistically.
however I live in a realistic world so i try educate my clients as much as possible,if they take up the advice cool,if they want unreasonably cheap..i let go.
The demand for high end homes plus institutional projects makes us busy because we are too few and that could be a problem too but trust me YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
The clients i love the most??? Those who learn the hard way like Kihonge because they appreciate through experience the true value of professional input.
less is more for Architects only!!
Less is more....for Architects only!!