Masai Mara Conservation Centre, RIBA Competition

In June 2024, we submitted our entry for the international RIBA competition to design a conservation and visitor centre at Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara National Reserve. Collaborating with Kenyan architect Karuga Koinange RIBA and his Nairobi-based studio, Urban Savannah, our design aimed to educate, inspire and raise awareness about conservation and Maasai traditions, as requested by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy.

Our Proposal

Our proposal drew inspiration from the semi-nomadic architecture of the Maasai, particularly the ‘Boma’ enclosures. We focused on creating a structure that blends seamlessly with its environment, using low embodied energy and handcraft techniques. The single-storey centre features a protective stone wall enclosure for welcome and rest areas, with educational and exhibition spaces placed beyond it.

A key aspect of the design is a permeable stone gabion structure, anchored in the ground using locally sourced bedrock excavated from the site. This structure intersects with a semi-permanent bamboo framework, offering functional spaces. The building’s organic, flowing thatched roof—supported by reclaimed timber trusses—shades the space and creates a natural aesthetic.

To maintain the Maasai cultural motif, the former water tower is adapted into an evaporative cooling tower, shaded and painted in traditional Maasai colours. This colourful pattern extends across the building and the refurbished gatehouse, tying the elements together. The use of local stone facing the gatehouse provides a harmonious connection between the new centre and the existing structures.

The design also incorporates sustainable features, including photovoltaic panels for energy, a viewing platform accessed via a mobile scissor lift and electric vehicle charging points. A central feature within the compound is a planted Acacia oasis, which cools the courtyard via ‘evapotranspiration’. Visitors move through the exhibition space, offering views of the Oloololo escarpment, before reaching the café and education spaces which spill out into the shaded courtyard. A shop featuring local crafts and produce adds to the cultural experience.

The building’s pitched roof with shaded louvers allows natural ventilation and serve as shutters during heavy rainfall. The stone gabion walls provide thermal mass, contributing to temperature stability and energy efficiency. The single-storey structure takes advantage of the land’s slope to offer an accessible slope-adapted viewing platform.

The design prioritises sustainability with minimal environmental impact. The use of locally sourced materials and limecrete floors reduces embodied carbon. Additionally, the building’s stick-built construction method allows for easy repair and local labour can be employed with minimal machinery. The structure ensures low operational energy use, providing comfort for visitors while being mindful of the surrounding landscape.