An Associate Prof in the Department of Architecture could be among the longest serving members of staff in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is an expert in planning and designing affordable low income houses and also in the Environmental Behaviour Study (EBS).
The Department of Architecture
The Department of Architecture is under the School of Architecture and Building Sciences (SABS). It offers a two-tier Bachelor of Architectural Studies/ Bachelor of Architecture Degree.
Chair of Department
Welcome to the Department of Architecture. Training with Integrated approach to design based on Technology and social-cultural factors
Dr Martin Mbidhi
- About us
- Chairman Message
- Programmes
- Academic Staff
- Non-Teaching Staff
- Research
- STAFF PROFILE
- Contact
PHILOSOPHY
“Integrated approach to design based on Technology and social-cultural factors”
OBJECTIVES:
To enhance training of all students in the art, science, technology, history and theory of architecture by having at least 50% of the curriculum taught through practical based learning in 2024/2025 academic year
To ensure that at least 50% of the architectural design projects in every class in the year 2024/2025 are new innovations
To excel in pure and applied research by increasing the number of postgraduate students by 50% in the 2024/2025 academic year
To develop at least 3 new programs so as to grow into a school of Architecture in 2024/2025
To source and attract at least two architectural consultancy projects by the end of 2024
To be of service to the nation by participating in at least one real-life project or design competition every semester
The Department of Architecture was established in the year 1990, initially in a staff house then moved to the Common Lecture Block (CLB), into the Engineering Laboratory Block (ELB) and finally to its current home in the Technology House. It occupies the entire first floor and parts of second and third floors. The Department continued to grow and eventually gave rise to two new Departments namely Landscape Architecture and Construction Management. These formed the School of Architecture and Building Sciences (SABS) that was established in the year 2001.
The philosophy of the department is, Integrated approach to design based on Technology and social cultural factors. The undergraduate and post graduate courses train and mentor students with a bias for scientific knowledge for advancement of technology, which is particularly useful in designing the built environment. Students are sensitized on buildable and sustainable designs using relevant technology as a design determinant. Strong emphasis is placed on local technology, environment, economy and socio-cultural conditions. Indeed the Bachelor of Architectural Studies curriculum includes 50% practical based teaching in studios, workshops, laboratories and lecture rooms. In addition students acquire practical skills in architectural firms and building construction sites by getting at least 24 weeks of practical attachment distributed throughout the first 4 years of study.
The curriculum has regularly been reviewed every 6 years upon completion of a full cycle to remain competitive and internationally relevant. It is not only accredited by the Commission for University Education, Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya but also by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). During the last review 4 years ago, a two-tier approach was approved. In the curriculum it takes 4 years to graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree and a further 2 years leading to the Bachelor of Architecture. The two tier curriculum allows a student to exit after four years and follow other interests or continue to sixth year and graduate with a degree in architecture which is a requirement for registration with the Board.
In the last 27 years the Department has graduated over 800 students in the former 6-year Bachelor of Architecture degree programme. They have continued to excel in various sectors of the economy in Kenya, regionally and internationally. They shine in the creative, scientific and technological areas of architecture in government, corporate world and in individual business as architects, project managers, developers, administrators etc. Positive feedback has been received from key stakeholders from the industry. Indeed in the last five years our graduates have won the East African Institute of Architects (EAIA) Presidents award for best student of Architecture in East Africa. The Department recently produced the top three students in the AAK/DURA COAT award of excellence out of the over 40 entries from the Eastern Africa schools of architecture.
Facilities and resources in the Department include departmental staff offices, lecture rooms, modern ICT laboratory, architectural science laboratory, design studios, modeling studio, photography studio and workshops. The staff are very qualified with advanced degrees at Masters and PhD levels.
Future plans for the Department envision modernizing the teaching space and facilities to maximize the use of new technology. There shall be increased collaboration with industry, other universities and research institutions to network to widen the reach and exposure through exchange programs, joint studios and research projects. The department will also create outreach programmes through short courses to train players in the building industry. Research and innovation will be strengthened through available funding opportunities and new avenues. The Department has embarked on an expansion programme to develop new programmes.
The growth continues!
TEACHING STAFF
Arch. Prof. Crispino.C. OCHIENG’, Ph.D. Ph.D. (Cape Town), B. Arch. (UoN), M.Arch. (Leuven, Belgium) Architectural design, Human Settlement and Environmental behavior research
Dr. Arch. Susan. N. KIBUE, Ph.D. Ph.D (Sheffield) , MA (HOUSING STUDIES) (New-Castle Upon Tyne), B. ARCH. (HONS) (UoN) Architectural design, Housing
Arch. Wilson. O. AWUOR M.Arch., B. Arch.(Hons) (Columbia) Architectural Design, Housing
Arch. Charles.O.A. MISIANI M. Arch. (Helsinki), B. Arch. (Hons) (UoN) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Charles MUNGAI B. Sc. (Arch) (Phillipines), M.A. (Planning) (UoN) Urban & Regional planning, Urban Design
Arch. John. M. WAMWANGI M. Arch. (Helsinki), B. Arch. (Hons) (UoN) Technology, Construction
Arch. Evans. J. OINO M. Eng (Kyoto), B. Arch. (Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural design, Building Science
Dr. Arch. Noel. J. O. OKELLO, PhD Ph.D (Oslo), M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Nadi .O. HASHIM M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (Hons.), Dip. Arch. (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design, Architectural Conservation, Building Technology
Dr. Arch. Martin MBIDHI, PhD PhD., M.A. (Project Planning), B.Arch (Hons.), (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Project Planning
Arch Rita MUGO (On-going PhD) M.A Planning (UoN), B.Arch. (Hons.), (JKUAT) Architectural Design, History of Architecture
Arch. Evans MAKAN M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Brenda BHOYYO M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Nicholas ONYANGO M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Philip OKELLO MSc. (Japan), B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural design, Building Science
Dr. Arch. Faith NG’ENO, PhD PhD, MSc. (Sheffield), B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural design, Sustainable Design
Arch. Wycliff NYACHWAYA (On-going PhD) M.Urb.Des, B.Arch (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urban Design
Arch. Wallace NJIIRI M.S.U.D, B.Arch.(Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Josephine WAIRIMU B.Arch.(Hons), .M.S.U.D(JKUAT, (Ongoing) ArchitecturalDesign, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Eric PLAL B. Arch.(Hons), M.Urb.Des (Ongoing) ( JKUAT) Architectural Design
Arch. James SHIKUKU M.S.U.D, B.Arch.(Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Victor NYAKUNDI (Ongoing PhD) M.S.U.D, B.Arch.(Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Wycliffe. WABURIRI B.Arch.(Hons)( JKUAT) Architectural Design
Arch Philip KOTENG’ M.A. Planning (UoN), B.Arch. (Hons)( JKUAT) Architectural design, Building Science
Arch. Raphael MIRERA M.S.U.D, B.Arch. (Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Beatrice KIRONGON M.S.U.D, B.Arch.(Hons) (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Marylyn MUSYIMI (Ongoing PhD) MA. Construction Management(U.O.N), B.Arch. (Hons) (JKUAT) Construction management, Architectural Management
Arch. Jerusha NGUNGUI (Ongoing PhD) MSc. Renewable Energy and Architecture (U.o.Nottingham, U.K), B.Arch.(Hons)( JKUAT) Renewable Energy & Architecture
Arch. Sarah MUSAU B.Arch.(Hons), .M.S.U.D(JKUAT, (Ongoing) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Collins AKETCHE B.Arch.(Hons), .M.S.U.D(JKUAT, (Ongoing) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Emma MBAISI B.Arch.(Hons), .M.S.U.D(JKUAT, (Ongoing) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Arch. Prof. Paul M. MARINGA Ph.D. (JKUAT) Architectural Design, Urbanism
Dr. Arch. Anthony. O RALWALA PhD (U.o Pretoria) Architectural Design, History of Arch
Arch. Joshua OWINO MSc. Construction Project Management (UK), B.Arch. (Hons) (JKUAT)Architectural Design, Project Management
Arch. Steven NDUBI B.Arch (Hons.), Dip. Arch. (JKUAT), M.S.U.D (JKUAT, (Ongoing) Architectural Design, Sustainable Urban Development
Mr. John KANOGU Masters Architectural Communication
NON- TEACHING STAFF
Ms. Hellen KARU Masters (On-going) Quantity Surveying
Mr. Joseph MUCHIKA B. Arch, Dip Arch (JKUAT), Dip in Building &Civil Eng. ArchiCad, Architectural Design
Ms. Julian NJOKI Certificate in Information Certificate, Diploma in Information Technology (on going) IT
Ms. Esther MAINA Master in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, full secretarial course Management
Ms. Josephine KHAVERE Computer certificate, Diploma (ongoing) Management
Ms. Jane MWIKAMBA Master in Business Administration, Management Bachelor of Business Administration,
Ms. Jacinta MBULA Management
Ms. Belka ATIENO Diploma in Business Administration Management
Mr. George KAMAU Final craft certificate Plumbing and Welding
Mr. Ongeri ONTITA National trade test I Carpentry and Joinery
Mr. Geofrey AMENYA Dip. In construction Masonry
Kibue, S. , Muchogu, J. , Ondieki, J. , Nthiwa, C. , Bhoyyo, B. (2018) Post Occupancy Evaluation of Slum Upgrading Projects. National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN: 978 9966-01-324-8
Preservation and Presentation ofHistoric Towns. Lambert Academic Publishing. Saarbrücken. 2014. ISBN 978-3-659-52654-1
Thimlich Ohinga: Traditional conservation practices. Joint article in traditional conservation practices in Africa. Edited by Joyffroy, T. ICCROM. 2005.
Social Culture in the Urban Built Environment, A study set in Western Kenya, LAP, Lambert Academic Publishing, Saarbrucken, Berlin, Germany. 2012
Affordable Housing: getting Beneficiaries to Agree to Sustain Functioning of a Prescribed Housing delivery System in Pumwani, Nairobi.
Adaptation of Residential Space by Somali immigrants in Nairobi to accommodate Social and Cultural Needs, In Ed. Monjur Mourshed.
Urban Design and Housing in Nairobi and public space needs in Informal Settlements
Challenges of Female Architectural Students at JKUAT
Acceptability of Earth as a construction Material, The Case of Nairobi.
Design, Construction and conversion of a stalled Building. The case of Hall Seven.
Investigating the extent of Gender Parity in Technical Courses at JKUAT: A case study of SABS and Engineering.
Drawings as a communication tool is the Construction Industry vis a vis Client, Consultant, Contractors, and all players in the industry.
House and Family: Traditional versus Contemporary Architectural Parameters.
Traditional and Cultural Aspects in Rural and Urban Housing.
The Realisation of an Appropriate Architecture for our Region
Email:
News & Events
Dear Students, Welcome to 2024/2025 Academic Year.
On behalf of administrative, teaching and technical staff, we would like to extend a warm welcome to all our students. We will ensure you have smooth running academic development programme from all our two department.
Prof. Crispino C. OCHIENG
Associate Professor
An Associate Prof in the Department of Architecture could be among the longest serving members of staff in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is an expert in planning and designing affordable low income houses and also in the Environmental Behaviour Study (EBS).