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Nairobi, Kenya

Good buildings take time. We've had thirty-seven years.

Architects, interior and urban designers and project managers. Founded in 1989 by Nelson Otieno W'Mosi and Phillip Kungu.

View Our Work Start a Project
1989Firm founded
37Years in practice
130+Projects delivered
06Design & PM disciplines
A–01
Our Story

How two practices became one.

Two Nairobi architects decided in 1989 that they would do better work together.

Before 1989

Two separate practices

Nelson Otieno W'Mosi and Phillip Kungu each practised on their own.

1989

One firm

They joined forces and formed Otieno & Kungu Associates, a partnership based in Nairobi.

Mid-1990s

Drawing boards give way to CAD

The office moved to a full CAD and administration system.

Over the years

More than design

Clients asked for more, so we added project management and Design and Build.

Today

Same partners, wider reach

Still led by the founders, with work across Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan.

A–04
The Practice

What we do, and where.

Architecture, urban and interior design, and project management, registered under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act, Cap 525.

We work for government bodies, corporates and private clients, and stay on site until the building is finished.

Firm at a Glance
  • Established1989, Nairobi
  • StructurePartnership of 2 Principals
  • RegistrationArchitects & QS Act, Cap 525
  • BodiesAAK · BORAQS
  • Core servicesArchitecture, Interiors, Urban Design
  • Also offerDesign & Build, Project Management, Remote Drafting, Green Certification
  • ReachKenya · Tanzania · South Sudan
  • OfficeCentury Gardens, Kilimani, Nairobi
A–05
The People

Two architects, one firm.

Both founding partners are registered architects with current practising certificates.

Nelson Otieno W'Mosi

Nelson Otieno W'Mosi

Principal Partner · Architect

B.Arch, Dip.Arch, MAAK (A). Co-founder of the firm.

Phillip Kungu, OGW

Phillip Kungu, OGW

Principal Partner · Architect

B.Arch, MArch, MAAK (A), FAAK (A). Recipient of the Order of the Grand Warrior.

A–03
Project Register

More of our work.

A selection from three decades of projects.

Public & Commercial

  • Tourism Fund (CTDLT) Office Block, Nairobi
  • New Judiciary Court Buildings, Nakuru & Siaya
  • Loresho Mall, Nairobi
  • Muthaiga Mall (Omnispace Ltd.), Nairobi
  • Nandi County Co-operative Union Office Block
  • State House Nairobi (Extension) & Presidential Dais
  • State Lodge, Eldoret
  • CORAT Human Resources Development Centre
  • Children's Science Centre, Nairobi
  • Warehouses for Alpha Grain Millers & SmithKline Beecham
  • Archbishop Conference Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania

Interiors & Fit-Out

  • Business Continuity Centre, National Bank of Kenya
  • Data Centres for National Bank & Standard Chartered
  • Main Reception remodel, Nation Media Group
  • Renovations, Cambria House, Nation Media Group
  • New offices, Kenya Bankers Co-op Society
  • Offices for AIG / GIC Ltd. and African Trade Insurance
  • New Lounge & Offices, Parklands Sports Club
  • Refurbishment, SmithKline Beecham International
  • Alterations, Nairobi Club, Upper Hill

Leisure & Hotel

  • GEM Suites Serviced Apartments, Riverside & Kileleshwa
  • Kisumu International Hotel, Kanyawegi Beach
  • CBD Hotel Development, Nairobi
  • Nairobi West Hotel Suites
  • Kenya Utalii College, façade upgrade & gym
  • Alliance Group Hotel, Diani & Nairobi
  • Kenya Beach Hotel renovation, Mombasa
  • New Mwanza Hotel & Golden Rose Hotel, Tanzania
  • Naro Moru Safari Lodge extension, Nanyuki

Housing

  • Adora Heights Residency, Kisumu City
  • Pine Bridge Villas, Karen, Nairobi
  • Junction Suites Apartments, Ngong Road
  • Gweng'wa Gardens Gated Community, Karen
  • UKCS Housing Scheme, Kitengela, Kajiado
  • Postgraduate Students' Accommodation, Chiromo Road
  • Ringa Apartments, Westlands & Lynmarie Villas, Lavington
  • Residential Apartments, Mtwapa, Kilifi County
  • GOSS Housing Scheme, Juba, South Sudan
  • Numerous private residences in Karen, Runda, Kajiado, Kisumu and Migori

Educational

  • Technical University of Kenya, Kamagambo College Masterplan
  • Garang Academy, South Sudan
  • Dormitories & Library, Kenya High School
  • Administration Block, Machakos High School
  • Girls Secondary School, Migori
  • Chosen Children Academy, Kitale
  • Secondary School for African Educational Fund, Nairobi

Military

  • Moi Barracks, Eldoret, HQ & Officers' Mess
  • Mariakani Barracks, Mombasa, Masterplan
  • Kahawa Barracks, Nairobi, Married Quarters
  • Kenya Navy, Mombasa, Senior Officers Housing & Social Facilities
A–06
How We Work

From brief to building.

Seven stages, followed for thirty-seven years.

01

Project Inception

02

Feasibility Studies

03

Outline Proposals

04

Scheme Designs

05

Production Drawings

06

Contract Documentation & Administration

07

Construction Supervision

Also Offered

Remote drafting for architects, engineers and developers.

Send sketches, markups or your engineer's design. We return coordinated drawings to the same standard as our own projects.

Architectural drafting

  • Plans, elevations, sections and details from sketches or markups
  • Planning and approval submission drawings
  • Measured and as-built drawings from site survey data
  • Full drawing sets for tender and construction

Structural drafting

  • Foundation, column, beam and slab layouts from your engineer's design
  • Reinforcement and connection detail drawings
  • Drawing revisions as the structural design develops
  • Coordination of structural sheets with the architectural set
Sustainability

Green building certification.

We help clients target EDGE, LEED or BREEAM, and prepare the documentation for assessment.

EDGE

  • Energy, water and materials targets set early in design
  • Design changes to meet the thresholds
  • Drawings and documents for the audit

LEED

  • Credit strategy and target rating
  • Coordination with the engineering team
  • Documentation for submission

BREEAM

  • Target rating agreed at briefing
  • Design stage evidence and drawings
  • Documentation for the assessor
A–07
Trusted By

Our clients.

Consulting architects to government bodies, banks and corporates across the region.

African Development BankMinistry of Public WorksNational Bank of KenyaKenya Commercial BankStandard Chartered BankKenya Reinsurance CorporationKenya Ports AuthorityNational Social Security FundUniversity of NairobiNation Media GroupMumias Sugar Company African Development BankMinistry of Public WorksNational Bank of KenyaKenya Commercial BankStandard Chartered BankKenya Reinsurance CorporationKenya Ports AuthorityNational Social Security FundUniversity of NairobiNation Media GroupMumias Sugar Company
Commission for Higher EducationTourism FundSDA Church General ConferenceTechnical University of KenyaNairobi ClubGem Invest Ltd.Alpha Grain MillersUniversity of East Africa, BaratonSmithKline Beecham InternationalGrad East Africa Ltd. Commission for Higher EducationTourism FundSDA Church General ConferenceTechnical University of KenyaNairobi ClubGem Invest Ltd.Alpha Grain MillersUniversity of East Africa, BaratonSmithKline Beecham InternationalGrad East Africa Ltd.
Professional Body

Architectural Association of Kenya

Nelson (MAAK) and Phillip (MAAK, FAAK) are both members of the AAK.

Statutory Registration

BORAQS, Republic of Kenya

We're registered with the Board of Registration of Architects & Quantity Surveyors under Cap 525 of the Laws of Kenya.

A–08
Careers

Come and work with us.

We're a small office, so everyone gets close to the work and close to the partners. We take on people at every stage, from students on placement to experienced site managers. Below is what we usually look for.

Student Placements and Attachments

For architecture, interior design and construction students who want real time in a working office. You'll sit with the design team on live drawings, join site visits and help prepare presentation material. Send a short portfolio and your current year of study.

TypePlacement
LocationNairobi
Apply →

Model Maker

Presentation and study models for client meetings, from quick massing models to detailed scale work. You should be handy with a craft knife, careful with materials and relaxed about deadlines that move.

TypeFull-time or contract
LocationNairobi
Apply →

Interior Designer

Fit-outs, refurbishments and hospitality interiors, from the first concept through to site. Space planning, finishes, furniture and joinery detailing, and a good eye for what will actually get built.

TypeFull-time
LocationNairobi
Apply →

Construction Manager

Running our projects on site: programme, contractors, quality, cost and handover. You'll work closely with our architects and project management team and be the person the site looks to.

TypeFull-time
LocationNairobi and project sites
Apply →

Architectural Draughtsperson

Production drawings and detail sheets from the partners' sketches and markups. Strong CAD skills, tidy drawing habits and some experience with construction documentation.

TypeFull-time
LocationNairobi
Apply →

Graduate Architect

For recent B.Arch graduates working toward registration with BORAQS. A broad start across design, documentation and site, with the partners involved in your development.

TypeFull-time
LocationNairobi
Apply →

Don't see your role? Send a CV and a few pages of work anyway. We keep applications on file and get in touch when something opens up.

Send an Application
A–09
Get In Touch

Let's talk about your next building.

Have a brief or a project to manage? Tell us about it.

Send an enquiry

otieno@otienokunguarchitects.com
kungu@otienokunguarchitects.com
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