Watamu, Kenya
Having been approached to find a new way of responding to beachfront coastal sites in Watamu, Kenya, we started by carrying out extensive research into potential sales markets, social equality in construction and ownership before proposing a new model of development that targeted the increasing numbers of middle-class Kenyans looking for second homes nearer the sea. Built from stone quarried on-site, local timber and thatch roofing, and using standardised construction techniques but incorporating international standards of design, biodiversity and water usage reduction/treatment of foul water.
![Watamu street scene](https://artel31.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-18-at-3.30.07-pm-1024x553.png)
![watamu aerial](https://artel31.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-18-at-3.30.40-pm-1024x614.png)
Sustainable Measures
Natural sustainable materials and reused materials
Passive solar gain regulation/orientation studies undertaken during design
Electric car charging and allocated space for future battery installation
Minimal internal structure to allow future alteration
Home working space
Rain water harvesting to a large beneath ground tank
Biodiverse landscaping used