Civic buildings exterior transition spaces a study of City Square, Nairobi

Abstract

Exterior transition spaces are more than a building's foreground separating the entrance and other parts. Kenya's seat of government buildings which frame the city square and the exterior transition spaces have not appreciated the human scale, not to mention accessibility of able and physically challenged. It has also been observed that the function and character of the buildings have not been enhanced to create connectivity.

The main objective of this study was to fmd out the relationship of the civic buildings' exterior transition spaces with the city square. Qualitative research was appropriate to emphasize the cause and impact of the city square as a transition space through a descriptive case study. Structured observations and interviews were used to collect data from architects, urban planners, civic society and buildings users.

It was evident from the case study that the civic buildings played an important role of enclosing the city square. The open spaces were interconnected physically and visually. Understanding the different types of human impairment and security measures came out as necessary in order to create usable exterior transition spaces.

Based on the findings of this study the introduction of vegetation as physical barriers, maintenance of the existing footpaths for interconnectivity, extension of the transition spaces activities to the square and clear separation of pedestrian and vehicular entry and exit points is recommended. Security impact on civic buildings' exterior transition spaces and design consideration for accommodating the physically challenged are areas also recommended for further study.