The site visit to Kakuma, via Nairobi, was undertaken in collaboration with the Amahoro Coalition and Colain, forming a critical component of the ongoing development of the Kakuma Community Centre.
The visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with the physical and social conditions of the settlement. Observations of daily movement patterns, community interests, and environmental constraints were essential in validating and refining the initial site analysis work.
Engagement with local stakeholders and residents offered further insight into the needs and priorities of the community, ensuring that the project responds to real life conditions of the place.
The environmental context, defined by extreme heat, limited resources, and infrastructural challenges, reinforced the importance of passive design strategies and locally appropriate construction methods. Material availability, maintenance capacity, and buildability were key considerations throughout.
Beyond the project itself, the visit underscored the importance of presence in the design process. Being on site allows for a level of understanding that cannot be achieved remotely, grounding the work in reality and reinforcing the principles that guide the studio.
What we do now is what matters.