Kounkuey Design Initiative, Nairobi, Kenya

As part of the Distinguished International Visiting Scholar Program, the School of Architecture is pleased to host an open lecture by Franklin Kirimi, Landscape Design Coordinator and Jack Campbell Clause MA CMLI, Design Director from Kounkuey Design Initiative, Kenya.

Frank Kirimi is interested in the role that design plays in enabling socially inclusive urban landscapes and has a passion for exploring how public spaces can combine sensitivity in drainage, functionality and aesthetics of place. At KDI, Frank develops design strategies and solutions for Productive Public Space projects in Kenya, and is integral to the planning and delivery of community co-design workshops. Frank has 6+ years of experience in hands-on participatory design approaches and the subsequent conception, development and implementation of low-cost, high-impact design interventions. His particular focuses are in marrying different scales of design, planning and development and in sustainable drainage strategies for climate change adaptation. Franklin holds a B.A. in Landscape Architecture from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Jack Campbell Clause is a Kenyan national and a chartered Landscape Architect with 10 years of experience in practice. His first 7 years were largely focused on large public realm and city development projects in the UK, Qatar, Russia, and China. After 3 years at KDI, Jack now leads the design and planning teams in Nairobi and co-leads the office. Jack believes that landscapes and cities that are socially equitable, environmentally restorative and risk-mitigating by design are the keystone of the transformative agenda that is required of our generation. Jack holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture and is a chartered member of the Landscape Institute in the UK (registered professional).

Through the Distinguished International Visiting Scholar Program, the School of Architecture is pleased to host a series of open lectures over the summer. These lectures will be accompanied by workshops offered to specific architecture student cohorts. Presentations were made possible through funding generously provided by GCI Ventures in support of international research and education initiatives.