Masai Mara Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate winner, Kenya building architect contest, African design competition news
Masai Mara Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate in Kenya
10 December 2024
Location: Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, Kenya, East Africa
VOID Studios selected to design Kenya’s Masai Mara Conservation Centre
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Kenya competition winner:
image © Void Studios
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Winner
VOID Studios, a UK-based architectural practice, has been awarded the commission to design a new Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate in Kenya’s Masai Mara, on behalf of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy.
Selected anonymously out of 100 entries from 32 countries, VOID Studios’ winning design seamlessly blends traditional Maasai patterns with contemporary architectural lines. The judging panel, unaware of the architects’ identities, praised the design as “a visually captivating experience that fosters curiosity and a sense of wonder”.
Driven by a deep passion for conservation and a commitment to its Kenyan roots, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) initiated this project to foster greater understanding of the Masai Mara’s delicate ecosystem and the cultural heritage of the Maasai people.
Reuben Makau, Director at A&K Kenya, said:
“At A&K Philanthropy, we believe in the power of partnership and the importance of honoring local knowledge. We are thrilled that VOID Studios will be collaborating with a Kenyan architect on this landmark project. This collaboration ensures that the Conservation Centre will not only be a stunning architectural achievement but also a true reflection of Kenya’s rich heritage and its commitment to a sustainable future.”
The Masai Mara Conservation Centre project is deeply committed to engaging local expertise and ensuring the project benefits the Kenyan community and economy. In line with this commitment, over two-thirds of the project budget will be invested directly into the local economy through the use of local resources, materials, and skilled labour.
The project will prioritise ethical sourcing of materials and green building practices, including solar power and rainwater harvesting. The goal is to seek sustainability accreditation, and create a Conservation Centre that not only educates visitors about sustainability but also embodies these principles in its very design.
VOID Studios will now collaborate with Kenyan architect Paul Mungai, and other local partners including Dr Lawrence Mbugua and Johnpaul Muwanika whose insight will help to ensure the design is culturally sensitive and incorporates sustainable practices that respect the local environment.
Florence Nyole, President of AAK, said:
“The Architectural Association of Kenya congratulates the international architectural competition winner for the Maasai Mara Conservation Centre carried out by the Royal British Institute of Architects and Abercrombie & Kent in collaboration with Mara Triangle and the Architectural Association of Kenya.
The winner has already made significant progress by collaborating with a team of registered Kenyan professionals. The involvement of Kenyan experts in finalizing the design, overseeing construction, and completing the project will foster international knowledge exchange, ensure cultural sensitivity, and directly benefit local businesses in Kenya
We look forward to the final reveal of the built visitor centre and wish the team all the best in its realisation.”
Ian Sanders, Director and Co-Founder of Void Studios, said:
“Our proposed Masai Mara Conservation Hub and Visitor Centre embodies a holistic approach to ecological and cultural preservation. Local materials are weaved together with unique Masai cultural features, to create an engaging educational visitor experience, whilst reinforcing the connection between conservation efforts and cultural heritage.
Much of the success of the proposal is owed to the collaboration with our consultant partners in Kenya. We are grateful for their insight and professionalism throughout the design process, and we are excited to engage with the local communities to deliver a project of this significance in one of the world’s most iconic ecological and cultural landscapes, the Masai Mara.”
The shortlist also comprised:
• DCS + Architects, Rome, Italy
• Hayman + Charlton Architects, Queensland, Australia
• Studio Moren, London, UK
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Kenya competition winner image / information received 101224 from RIBA
Previously on e-architect:
24 August 2024
Location: Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa
image © DCS + Architects
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Shortlist Announced
The shortlist has been announced for the international open competition to design a new Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, Kenya.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition, on behalf of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, received over 100 entries from 32 different countries by the deadline date.
image © Hayman + Charlton
Entrants were challenged with designing a Conservation Centre that would become an innovative and engaging facility for tourists and visitors that aims to educate, inspire, and create awareness about conservation and the traditions of the Maasai people. The Centre will be a focal point for visitors to the Masai Mara, providing an immersive educational experience that highlights the significance of the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
From the spectacle of the great migration to the intricate coexistence of the Maasai people and wildlife, the Centre is designed to deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the Mara’s unique ecosystem.
image © Void Studios
The Panel evaluated the anonymous design entries and have shortlisted four entries, who are (in alphabetical order):
• DCS + Architects, Rome, Italy
• Hayman + Charlton Architects, Queensland, Australia
• Studio Moren, London, UK
• Void Studios, Manchester, UK
Florence Nyole, President, Architectural Association of Kenya, part of the Evaluation Panel said: “The design competition for the Conservation Centre has attracted outstanding architectural talent that captured the Spirit of Place and the Maasai Culture with the African Wildlife in the background. The forms, the rich colours and the flow of spaces met the brief with most of them exceeding our expectations. It was a tough session for the jury but the emerging top 4 showed exemplary solutions that can be taken further to give Conservancy a breathtaking centre. We wish them the best in the next phase of the competition.”
image © Studio Moren
The shortlisted entrants will receive detailed feedback on their design to enable further development before a final presentation and interview will take place to select the winner in November 2024.
16 April 2024
RIBA launch international design competition for the Masai Mara Conservation Centre
Wednesday 16 April 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today launched an international open design competition for a new Conservation Centre at the Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, Kenya, on behalf of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, the philanthropic arm of travel company Abercrombie & Kent.
Maasai warrior, Kenya:
photo : Mark Williams
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Competition in Kenya, East Africa
The Masai Mara Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate of the Masai Mara National Reserve is envisioned to become an innovative and engaging facility for tourists and visitors that aims to educate, inspire, and create awareness about conservation and the traditions of the Maasai people.
It will serve as a focal point for visitors to the Masai Mara, providing an immersive educational experience that highlights the significance of the natural and cultural heritage of the area. From the spectacle of the great migration to the intricate coexistence of the Maasai people and wildlife, the centre aims to deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the Mara’s unique ecosystem.
The primary objective of the centre is to educate visitors about the importance of conservation, biodiversity, and the delicate balance of ecosystems within the Masai Mara. The centre will be designed with sustainable principles in mind, utilising eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy sources.
The architects’ design should respect and integrate elements of Maasai culture and heritage, creating a harmonious blend between the centre and its surroundings.
Overall, the centre should offer a memorable and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
Cristina Levis, Chief Executive Officer, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group said: “A&K’s heritage is rooted in Kenya’s heritage, passionately committed to conservation and honoring the Maasai culture. The new Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate is more than a building; it’s a symbol of sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship, aiming to protect the Masai Mara’s natural beauty and cultural legacy. It reflects our vision of a sustainable future through eco-friendly design and education.”
The competition will follow the open design process with the first phase seeking anonymous concept designs. Following evaluation of the entries, a shortlist of up to five designs will be selected to proceed to the second phase of the competition.
The competition is open internationally to registered architects. Architects should be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in the UK, or an equivalent, recognised overseas regulatory authority. Collaboration is encouraged between individuals and organisations of different size, expertise and experience.
To view the full competition brief and for details on how to register please visit https://akphilanthropy.org/projects/a-fresh-outlook-on-the-masai-mara. The closing date for submission of design proposals is Tuesday 18 June 2024 at 12midday BST.
A&K Travel Group Ltd.
A&K Travel Group is a global lifestyle and travel company that sets the standard for refined and personalized travel experiences. These include Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, and Cox & Kings, as well as investments in other travel companies such as Habitas.
Abercrombie & Kent
Geoffrey Kent founded A&K in Africa in 1962 with little more than a refrigerated ex-Army truck, and the best tents money could buy. Then, the company went by the motto ‘off-the-beaten-track safaris’.
A lot has changed in the intervening years, but we still want to take clients down the road less travelled. We win awards for not only our bespoke luxury holidays and unparalleled escorted tours, but also our philanthropic efforts to protect and preserve the places we visit. Nearly six decades later, with Geoffrey Kent still at the helm, we extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents.
A&K has more people in more places than any other travel company with more than 55 on-site offices in over 30 countries. Our long-standing networks allow us to uncover local secrets beyond the reach of most. Not much is truly impossible, and we ensure that your time away is the time of your life. https://www.abercrombiekent.com/
RIBA Competitions
RIBA Competitions delivers choice, inspiration and value to clients through expertly run competitive selection processes. The dedicated RIBA Competitions team can help you explore the full potential of your project, for further information visit www.architecture.com/competitions or email [email protected].
Masai Mara Conservation Centre, Kenya competition building images / information received 160424 from RIBA
Location: Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, southern Kenya, East Africa
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