Author: David Nahinga
Creating beauty takes time. Case of Brick Facing
It is almost not possible to build something timeless and beautiful in a hurry.
When building, you can use the same amount of money that would hsve built a beautiful house to build an ugly thing. The area will not reduce, you might use the same quantity of materials and most likely, you will spend more time cumulatively in correcting defects, change of mind and trying to perfect that which has no beauty.
To build anything beautiful, one must be driven by keenness, patience and understanding.
Example: Building a Brick Facade.
A brick facade needs attention because the number of mortar joints are many, any smudges of concrete will stain the bricks and is equally hard to clean. Therefore, building a brick wall or cladding an existing wall with facing bricks is a good example of, “building beauty takes time.”
“Either you are trying to make something beautiful or you are trying to get it finished. You cannot serve two masters.” – Gary Zucker.
Four Factors to Consider When Designing Houses for Security.
For every problem, there exists a pattern that is a solution.
For example, This door is a big solution for folks who have been wondering is it possible to have a fully glazed front door? Notice the following items captured by the design solution:
1. Side hung grill door
2. Sliding middle door
3. Fixed side panels with one way glass. When closed, it is all glass… Problem solved!
2. Design for security requires active and passive measures. The 4 D’s
👉🏿Deter e.g. By use of Metal Grills, Lighting at Night, Perimeter Walls, Metal Spikes, Razor Wire above walls, and Electric Fencing.
👉🏿Detect e.g. By use of surveillance technologies like CCTV, Proximity Sensors and old school Manned Viewing Towers
👉🏿Delay e.g. barriers and drums near embassies and security installations
👉🏿Detain, that is, behind capable of capturing any intruders. This is the ultimate security measure but its success will depend on all the previous measures.
ReThinking Maasai Architecture, Cargotecture and Rammed Earth.
This is a brief reflection on whether we can combine Maasai Architecture with its love for dome shaped structures, the versatile Container Architecture and Rammed Earth.
The house has provision for sleeping quarters, home office, a Kitchen, Dining Space and Lounge.
