Mucii Diani
Location: Diani Beach, Kenya
Project Brief
Design a two-bedroom holiday home in Diani that responds to the region’s dry tropical climate through passive and climate-responsive design.
Our Design Approach
Located on Kenya’s east coast, south of Mombasa, this design is organised around a central courtyard with a swimming pool and water feature, using natural ventilation and evaporative cooling to create comfortable living spaces.
A perimeter verandah provides shaded outdoor areas, reduces solar heat gain, and strengthens the connection between the interior and landscape. The open-plan living, dining, kitchen, and study areas are oriented towards the courtyard and a mature baobab tree, which serves as a focal point for the home.
Drawing on vernacular tropical architecture, the design reinterprets traditional coastal building principles within a contemporary language, creating an energy-efficient retreat that is closely connected to its environment.
Conceptual 3-dimensional model exploring the relationship between the built form, its surrounding environment, and the dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces. The model investigates how the orientation of each facade responds to the site’s climatic conditions, landscape and broader context.
