| dc.description.abstract | The ground breaking ceremony was held at the construction site at the Main Campus and presided over by top management led by the Chancellor Dr. Joseph Wanjui. The Towers will be situated in the open space between the Gandhi Building and Education Building, just adjacent to the Norfolk Fairmont Hotel and Kenya National Theatre.
The Towers which will be named Chandaria University of Nairobi Towers will accommodate the increasing academic activities and administrative services. The 21 floors with learning facilities will accommodate 3000 students and house facilities that include the Vice-Chancellor’s Suite, Senate Boardroom, Council Meeting Room, one lecture theatres of 500 persons, four lecture theatres of 300 persons, and several lecture rooms to cater for a minimum of 60 persons, a floor for the Graduate School and a floor for the Graduate School of Business. It will also have a helipad.
The University will develop this visionary state-of-the-art tower block leading the way in ecologically sustainable design in its Main Campus. The Tower thus will not only provide the much-needed teaching space but also assert and affirm the position of the University of Nairobi as the leader of architectural thought, innovation and champion towards the provision of environmentally friendly-solutions.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha, the University of Nairobi, is seeking to construct an ecologically sustainable building with world class aesthetics and environmental design considerations. It is expected to meet stringent carbon foot print criteria achieving close to 100 per cent carbon neutrality. The new building will meet the indicated spatial requirements and demonstrate leadership in the development of a holistic green environment and must attain the highest green rating standards globally. The building will also demonstrate a new approach to workplace design and create a model for others to learn world-class acoustic treatment.
The building will also enhance the quality of outdoor space and the balance between indoor and outdoor spaces. The University of Nairobi Towers is an inspiring and attractive showcase of “green” buildings and once realized, the final facility will attain signature status in all aspects of cutting-edge architecture. The facility will be a place where users shall be proud to undertake world-class scholarly work, receive global leaders, scholars, the private sector, as well as other prominent guests.
The architect for the project is Waweru and Associates who won the project through a an architectural design competition held in November 2011 in an exercise presided over by an international jury, comprising various experts. The contractor of the project is China Wu Yi and it is being funded by the internally generated funds. | en_US |
