michaelis boyd's arijiju house hybridizes european and kenyan architecture

michaelis boyd takes to kenya for this private residential project titled ‘arijiju.’ the client sought an alternative to the traditional african thatched roof with its dark interiors in favor of a hybridization of african and european styles — something very different to the dwellings found in this part of kenya. ‘arijiju’ is sited among the 32,000 acre borana conservancy in the savannah grasslands, an area rich with such wildlife as the highly endangered black rhino, constantly under threat from poachers. the site is leased by owner michael dyer to maintain the huge cost of protecting the black rhino.

all images by dook

designing the ‘arijiju’ house in kenya, michaelis boyd expresses influence from peaceful and contemplative spaces including a 12th century french cistercian monastery. the property is nestled into a low southern slope to allow the occupant to experience a connection with the surrounding nature, situated near a watering hole where wildlife often gathers. the property has been carefully oriented toward sweeping views of the snow-capped peaks of mount kenya. the design team embarked on may site visits to ensure that the buildings and terraces were positioned in time with the movement of the sun, were sheltered from the wind, and were hidden from view.

michaelis boyd constructed the house with local materials to visually integrate with the surrounding kenyan landscape. this material palette includes meru stone from a local quarry for the walls and local grevilia timber for the ceiling beams, lintels, pergolas, and flat grass planted roofs. visitors approaching by car approach by way of a pathway which winds through the savannah grassland, and are lead down a staircase carved out of an outcrop of rock. it is only then that a large arched timber door front entrance comes to view. the front door opens up to a green oasis courtyard garden set within colonnaded, groin vaulted walkways.

project info:

project title: arijiju house

architecture: michaelis boyd

location: borana ranch, laikipia, kenya

completion: august 2015

photography: dook