AFRICAN PROJECT Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho – Kenya
66 africandesignmagazine . com
a distinctive presence in kenya
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho , designed by John McAslan + Partners , is located 250km west of Nairobi , Kenya . It lies within the Highlands , close to the Rift Valley , enjoying magnificent views across tea plantations and surrounding hills and accommodates up to 1 500 parishioners beneath its giant canopy .
The Cathedral ’ s great inclined roof will become a distinctive form in the rolling panorama of Kericho ’ s hills and valleys when it completes in 2015 . Strikingly crafted , the building ’ s simple palette of materials honours the faith and frugality of this rural African context .
John Mcaslan + Partners sought to create a welcoming and inviting structure that naturally integrated with its setting . Externally , the cathedral ’ s tiled-roof forms a distinctive presence on Kericho ’ s landscape , while internally , the church features a wide nave in order to maximize the congregation ’ s engagement . The building itself opens completely along both transepts , promoting natural ventilation and allowing parishioners to leave at multiple exit points .
The design brings together both African and ecclesiastical references , with the building ’ s structure expressed using clear forms and a palette of natural materials . With the exception of the stained glass windows , all of the project ’ s materials were locally sourced and fabricated . Inside the church , arched
Photography by Edmund Sumner ( www . edmundsumner . co . uk ) Originally published on DesignBoom . Click here for more