University of Nairobi set to expand facilities with Sh2.3bn tower
The Fountain of Knowledge at University of Nairobi. The varsity is set to construct a 22-storey complex valued at Sh2.3 billion to meet increased demand for academic and administrative facilities. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
The varsity will finance the building from internal funds and donations. Businessman Manu Chandaria pledged to contribute Sh125 million.
The unique feature about the Varsity Towers is a helipad --the first in a Kenyan university
The University of Nairobi is set to construct a 22-storey complex valued at Sh2.3 billion to meet increased demand for academic and administrative facilities at the main campus.
The varsity will finance the building from internal funds and donations. Businessman Manu Chandaria pledged to contribute Sh125 million.
Speaking Friday at the ground-breaking ceremony, the Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof George Magoha said the institution is seeking to expand its facilities in tandem with the growing student population currently standing at 60,000.
“We expect the tower to boost our functions in a big way,” he said.
The complex will have facilities namely the VC’s and deputy VC’s suites, senate boardroom, and lecture halls to accommodate 3,000 students. Others are council meeting room and offices for its Graduate School of Business.
The unique feature about the Varsity Towers is a helipad --the first in a Kenyan university. The varsity says the state-of-the-art building will be a hallmark of architectural thought, innovation and ecological solutions.
The University of Nairobi also targets to reduce carbon footprint in line with the global goal of achieving a green environment; the varsity plans to adopt ecological-friendly practices.
The proposed building will be situated in the open space between the Gandhi Building and Education Building, adjacent to the Norfolk Fairmont Hotel and Kenya National Theatre.
The architect for the project is Waweru and Associates Company which won the contract in an architectural design competition held in November 2011. The exercise was presided over by an international jury of experts. The contractor of the project is China Wu Yi.
This comes on the back of increased construction of complexes by different universities in the country.
Kenyatta University has recently set up various buildings at its main campus with the the latest being the Chandaria Business centre valued at Sh100 million.
