Archtron Systems is an architecture, planning and interior design firm based in Nairobi.
Established in 2011 by Arch. Joel Ng’ang’a, the firm has experienced rapid growth driven by trust among its clients owing to professionalism and competence.
“Most of our work now comes from referrals and repeat clients”, says the 2008 University of Nairobi graduate.
Arch. Ng’ang’a’s entry into the world of architecture was through an opening at Apt Designs, where he worked after completing his university studies. In 2010, he sat his professional examinations and was licensed in 2011.
It was at this point that he decided to venture out on his own. “I had already received some enquiries to do residentials here and there hence my decision to break out on my own”, says Arch. Ng’ang’a.
But like many success stories, Archtron had humble beginnings.
“When I started out, it was from a desk in an engineer friend’s office”, reveals the Principal Architect. He says the engineer allowed him to operate from his offices for about two years, paying no rent but only helping foot a few utility bills. “I then moved out to a small office in Hurlingham Plaza before eventually shifting to the current offices.”
As the firm grew continued to grow, Arch. Ng’ang’a decided it was time to get help. From 2015, he began recruitment. Archtron Systems now consists of two other architects and two technicians.
Today, the firm boasts a wide range of projects in its portfolio, including residential, commercial, hospitality, educational, health, and even religious buildings.
Projects
Under Health, Archtron Systems has done extensive work for St. Theresa Mission Hospital Kiirua in Meru. The hospital, that had been running for decades, required major upgrade and execution of a master plan to Level 5 status. Archtron Systems was hired to spearhead the transformation, which included building of a new maternity ward, general and pediatric wards, ICU and HDU facilities. “We now working on a nursing school”, says Arch. Ng’ang’a. “Designs are already approved and we are just waiting for donor funding to come through.”
Archtron has also completed satellite clinics for hospitals in various locations across the country.
In hospitality, the firm did The Nest Boutique in Naivasha. “We currently have an ongoing project in the same area and a similar project in South B”, discloses Arch. Nga’ng’a. While under Apt Designs, Arch. Ng’ang’a was the Project Architect at The Heritage Resort in Naivasha.
The firm has completed numerous residential projects in the country. In Nairobi, Archtron is currently engaged in Alba Garden, a high-end residential apartment complex in Kilimani consisting of 288 units. Other areas where Archtron has done projects include Runda, Karen and Kileleshwa. “In Kileleshwa, our first apartment project was the Emilia Serviced Apartments in 2013”, says Arch. Ngang’a. The firm has also completed apartments off the Southern bypass in Karen area.
In Naivasha, Archtron did the La Casa Homes and Unique Homes. Besides, the firm has been engaged in many private residential projects including in rural areas.
Other projects include commercial developments in Eldoret and Naivasha as well as several retail spaces.
In Education, Archtron did the Kinderville School in Syokimau, a new campus for High Peak Junior Academy in Naivasha and lecture halls at the Cooperative University of Kenya in Nairobi.
New Horizons
Many established architects in Kenya have ventured out of the country and successfully executed projects. Arch. Ng’ang’a is no exception. His first involvement with such work was a short stint in South Sudan with Caritas, an international NGO.
Archtron Systems has now consulted in DR Congo, where Arch. Ng’ang’a has done substantial work in Lubumbashi, the country’s second largest city.
Consortiums
Although most of Archtron’s work is through word of mouth, the firm does bid for projects as part of a consortium, says Arch. Ng’ang’a. To this end, some of the jobs, especially the hospitals, have been through such partnerships. “We are currently working on something in Nyamira and Kitale. We are also pursuing something in Kilifi.” The firm is interested in affordable housing projects, which both the previous and current governments have listed as priority areas.
Industry
As a professional with more than a decade of experience, Arch. Ng’ang’a has certain observations on the industry in Kenya. Like many, he’s alarmed by structural failure of buildings that has left scores dead and injured in recent years. He decries the lack of professional involvement in these projects. “I personally would not get involved in a project unless it was clear to the developer that I would have to be involved in the project throughout its lifespan,” says the architect. He notes that apart from the consequences of lack of supervision, professional reputation is normally at stake.
On architectural practice, Arch. Ng’ang’a says regulation is weak, leading to proliferation of quacks. “AAK and BORAQS need to do more.” He also cites an example of professional fees noting that although the charges are clearly prescribed, some clients are not willing to pay these amounts. In other cases, some professionals also deliberately undercharge. The architect says he knows at least one large firm that charged 1.8% of the project’s value. Asked how they would make up for this undercharge, Arch. Ng’ang’a figures that they probably reckon they will recoup from having several projects. The architect has a radical proposal to curb this menace: “Perhaps clients should pay us through our associations!”
The issue of training and quality of graduates coming into the profession is also a concern in recent years. Arch. Ng’ang’a concedes that university graduates tend to take much longer to learn the ropes, a phenomenon that he partly attributes to an attitude problem. “You find that diploma holders are more enthusiastic and willing to prove themselves at work.”
Future
Arch. Ng’ang’a says although he is aware that a number of his fellow professionals have tried to venture into other areas like real estate development, some with unpleasant consequences, he is not ready to go that route yet. For now, Archtron Systems intends to continue on its growth projectory, offering clients the best possible architectural services.
