A DEFINING CULTURAL TRANSIT - NAM LOLWE RAILWAY STATION, KISUMU

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, School of Architecture and Building Sciences, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The project portrays the culture of Luo people, (a Kenyan Nilotic group that reside on the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya), in both built form and spatial organisation. The philosophy behind this is "Architecture belongs to culture, not to civilization” – Alvaar Alto. Materials used mimic materials used when constructing traditional Luo (African) huts. Kisumu being the third largest city in Kenya and a commercial hub in Western Kenya, the railway station will represent the cultural attributes of Luo people (indigenous people of the city) as well as African culture as a whole to both travelers and visitors.

Project description

The railway station has five primary core spaces:
1. Restaurant - This is at the entrance of the station, as portrayed in a traditional Luo homestead, it mimics the sons hut where they sleep.
2. Indoor Amphitheater -This is at the centre of the station. It mimics the man's hut which is referred to as "abila". It offers entertainment.
3. Arrivals - Situated on the right side of the station. Mimics the second wife's hut referred to as "nyachira".
4. Departures - Situated on the left side of the station. Mimics the third wife's hut referred to as "reru"
5. Platform - Situated on the centre back of the station. Mimics the first wife's hut referred to as "mikayi".

Technical information

The circular design resembles the traditional Luo homestead design as well. Presence of the spire is evidenced in traditional huts, referred to as "osuru" which signify that the man is still alive. The spire acts as a communication mast as well as a lighthouse to the ships that cruise in the lake adjacent since the harbour is few kilometres from the proposed station site.

Use of timber members on the facade offer both sustainable design importance in matters acoustics as well as cultural meaning. Reeds were used as a walling material to huts. Brutal concrete that is painted in terracotta mimics the cow dung and mud paste used to smear traditional huts.