The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Angus architect takes on design brief challenge for Maasai tribe in Kenya
Arbroath designer has created plans for school and cultural centre
An Angus architect has fused his Irish background with jewellery designs created by the Maasai tribe to design a school and cultural centre in Kenya.
Jonathan Reeve, 39, who is originally from Enniskillen and who works with the Voigt Partnership in Arbroath, is off to Kenya tomorrow for a week-long trip.
He will present his designs for the project, curated by Maasai tribal chiefs, at the Maasai Conference in Amboseli.
He said: “At an early stage I realised this was a special project.
“Almost everyone around the world has heard of the Maasai tribe, and to incorporate elements in a design brief such as ‘views to Mount Kilimanjaro’ and ‘walls to deter elephant stampedes’ are not what you are used to.
“This is a sort of investigative trip and will involve speaking to the local architect, meeting potential builders, visiting the site etc.
“As an architect to be involved in designing a unique building for the Maasai tribe was a privilege and honour.
“This is a unique opportunity to be involved with a charity to not only provide design intervention to a poor community, but to be involved in its realisation.
“I hope to travel back to Kenya in August to assist with the build alongside the other volunteers from across the globe.”
The idea behind the building began last year when two US charities – My Chosen Vessel and Amor Ministries – partnered with a vision of creating a new building in Kenya which had been desperately needed by the Maasai people.
Jonathan first encountered Amor Ministries whilst volunteering on a house-building project in South Africa in 2015 and was invited by the charities to use his architectural and creative input in the Kenya School project.
He has designed a multi-use facility comprising a primary school, cultural centre and conference space.
Jonathan’s main inspiration is Maasai jewellery, with its distinctive and intricate pattern of beading.
He said: “The building takes the form of three interlocking bracelets, where the circular shape of the bracelet is simplified into a hexagon, which is easier to build.”