Kenyan design firm Studio Mehta Architecture has designed the UA House located along the creek in Kilifi, Kenya. It is nestled by the trees of Takaungu Creek specifically and blends elements of modern and traditional design together. The range of courtyards and rooms is formed in a rectangular structure with pink walls that interact with the various areas. The walls are notably made from blocks of salvaged limestone that are covered with lime plastic blended with quarry dust.
Amar Mehta, studio principal speaks to Dezeen about the project, stating "The soft pink hue of the exterior was achieved through numerous tests and compositional mixes. These mixes used aggregates found on the site and the unusable parts of local limestone, combined with a base lime mortar. This method allowed for the creation of a distinctive and regionally resonant colour."
Image Credit: Iain Olivier
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Sustainable Building Materials
- The use of blocks of salvaged limestone covered with lime plastic blended with quarry dust highlights a focus on ecological and locally-sourced materials.
- Regional Design Aesthetics
- Achieving a distinctive pink hue through various compositional mixes emphasizes a burgeoning interest in integrating local aggregates and regional aesthetic elements into architectural designs.
- Modern-traditional Architecture Fusion
- Blending modern and traditional design together in the UA House showcases an emerging trend in architecture that harmonizes contemporary aesthetics with cultural heritage.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Green Construction
- Utilizing locally salvaged materials and eco-friendly practices places this within the innovative sector of sustainable and green construction.
- Architectural Design
- Introducing regionally resonant colors through innovative material mixes pertains to the evolving architectural design industry focused on cultural inclusivity.
- Material Science
- The experimental approach to achieving unique hues and textures through site-specific aggregates underscores advancements in material science, particularly in construction applications.
