The Female Force Behind Africa's New Era of Timber Construction

Posted on : Monday, 3rd February 2025

Wood is at the center of a construction revolution in Kenya, challenging traditional reliance on concrete and steel. Four women are leading the shift towards timber, advocating for its viability as a sustainable building material. With Kenya’s forest cover at 8.8% as of 2021, concerns about deforestation persist. However, commercial forestry—distinct from general forest conservation—offers a renewable solution for timber-based construction.
 

Historically, wood was a primary building material in Kenya. Today, engineers and architects are reviving its use, proving its environmental and structural benefits. Joy Mboya, architect and Executive Director of The GoDown Arts Centre, is spearheading a project integrating timber in multi-story construction. The complex’s lower floors utilize concrete, while an eight-floor tower will demonstrate the potential of mass timber.
 

Zani Gichuki and Lillian Beauttah, founders of Ardhi Na Mbao, advocate for mass timber alongside rammed earth. Their experiences in Spain exposed them to timber’s versatility, inspiring their mission to establish a local mass timber manufacturing industry. They emphasize timber’s low carbon footprint and psychological benefits in architecture.
 

Esther Segero, President of the Women in Real Estate Society Kenya, champions timber as a carbon-storing material. Inspired by Sweden’s sustainable practices, she integrates timber into urban projects, aiming to normalize its use in Kenya’s construction industry.