FEATURE
Architect profile
D
esigns such as the Hill Towers
complex in Uganda’s capital Kampala
City highlight the firm’s creative
potential, while the Sheheena
Apartments of Kenya’s second largest
city Mombasa showcase the firm’s
pioneering residential designs. RMJM
East Africa is capable of procuring
large-scale projects in a range of
sectors; allowing the firm to further
develop the portfolio across the African continent.
We had the opportunity to speak with Mike Lord,
executive director at RMJM East Africa, so to hear
his thoughts on how it is to work in the region, its
present potential and future possibilities.
For those readers who have never heard about
RMJM’s work in the continent, can you please
tell us about some of the highlights of your
experience in East Africa?
RMJM has traditionally focused their efforts in
the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from
their studios in Dubai and Turkey. RMJM East
Africa marks a transition into the East African and
Great Lakes region through collaboration with the
Symbion network of studios whose offices in Kenya
and Uganda as well as associations in Tanzania,
Rwanda and Botswana allows access to a new region
in sub-Saharan Africa.
What do you find to be the most challenging and
rewarding characteristics of being an architect in
East Africa?
The multitude of building types which make up
our portfolio of projects mean that our work is
generally both interesting and challenging. We work
on a wide range of projects, from commercial to
residential, medical to tourism and hospitality and
with a diverse mix of clients, both public and private
sector. Some of the sites in which we have been able
to design buildings, particularly some of our hotels
and lodges, are also spectacular. The uniqueness of
some of these mesmerizing sites is undeniably one of
the greatest pleasures one takes from working in the
region.
Can you tell us a bit about your most interesting
recent projects in East Africa?
We are currently working on a new high rise
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