Arijiju House by Michaelis Boyd & Nicholas Plewman Architects

Arijiju House, Kenya, was presented at the AT Awards live finals on 20 September 2023 to a jury comprising Rab Bennetts, Juliette Morgan, Neil Thomas, Peter Bishop, Nana Biamah-Ofosu, and Chair Isabel Allen. Read about how the project has stood the test of time.

Credit: Dook

Completed
2015

Designed by Michaelis Boyd, Arijiju House lies on the eastern side of Laikipia County in central Kenya. Conceived as a sanctuary in the middle of the wilderness, it eschews local typologies in favour of combining African and European styles – namely Ethiopian architecture and the 12th century monastic buildings of Le Thoronet in France. The building has been carefully oriented to achieve the ‘Holy Trinity’ of views: sunrise, sunset, and Mount Kenya.

Constructed from local stone and timber with flat grass roofs, the building embraces the sloping site, emphasising its strong connection to nature. A green oasis courtyard garden set within a groin-vaulted colonnade provides access to the bedrooms and living areas. The retreat comprises five suites, which can accommodate up to ten guests, as well as three additional suites located in the main residence. Much of the furniture is handcrafted by local artisans, and guest rooms combine natural linens and leather accents for an interior aesthetic that is both earthy and organic.

Credit: Dook

The off-grid building is both low-carbon and energy efficient with photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels supplying its electricity and hot water needs. Rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling are employed along with a site-wide ban on plastic water bottles.

Described by Condé Nast Traveller as ‘the most beautiful house in Africa’, the scheme adopts a sustainable tourism model that funds local conservation projects. Over the years, the discreet and unobstructed nature of the house has allowed safe passage for local wildlife and animals on migration through the site’s open fences and corridors. Radio collars on elephant matriarchs and roaming lions help inform and divert human-wildlife conflict.