This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Is your home weather-resistant? Factors to bear in mind ¶
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, homeowners in Kenya are waking up to the reality that their homes may not be as weather-resistant as they thought. A recent survey by the Architectural Association of Kenya found that only 20% of buildings in Nairobi are developed by architects, leaving many homes vulnerable to extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
For Mary Njeri, a civil servant in Nairobi, the dream of owning a home turned into a nightmare. She moved into her new house at Juja Farm estate on Thika Road in March last year, but her joy was short-lived. The house was too hot on sunny days due to the windows facing the east-west direction, and the contractor had not installed any sun-shading devices. The walls' ability to absorb heat was also questionable.
Ms Njeri's case highlights the importance of adhering to basic design principles when building a home. According to Mr Kevin Oduor, principal architect and CEO of Do Design Consultants (DDC Architects), architecture is not just about grand structures, but about developing a usable, workable space with high human comfort levels.
Mr Oduor advises homeowners to consider the surrounding environmental conditions when building a home. 'For any given development, two things influence the outcome: environmental conditions of the site and the client's brief. Whenever architects set out to do some work, one of the most important things they do is to weigh the site forces vis-à-vis the brief.'
Mr John Kabuye, an architect and vice-chairperson of the Kenya Green Building Society, emphasizes the importance of green building in weather-resistant homes. 'Green homes, otherwise known as resilient or sustainable homes, are homes that can lessen the environmental effect, help to make the space comfortable and healthy for the occupants.'
Some of the key factors to consider when building a weather-resistant home include:
- House orientation: Is the orientation on the east-west axis? Are the windows facing north-south away from the sun's path?
- Walls' thermal mass: Do the walls have a high thermal mass for absorption and dissipation of heat at the required time?
- Waste management: Are there proper waste management practices in place?
- Use of local materials: Are locally available materials used to reduce the amount of energy used to produce and transport materials to the site?
- Water harvesting: Is rainwater harvested to reduce the demand on municipal water supplies?
- High interior ceilings: Are high interior ceilings used to provide space for heat to rise and be wasted?
By considering these factors, homeowners can ensure that their homes are weather-resistant and provide a comfortable and safe living space for themselves and their families.
