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About Us
An architecture, interior design and project management practice, founded in Nairobi in 2005.
The practice
AIA Architects Limited
AIA Architects Limited, formerly Adventis Inhouse Africa (AIA), was incorporated in 2005 following a merger between In-House architects and Adventis Ltd.
Today the practice is led by seven partners with more than 100 years of combined experience in architecture, interior design and project management. Over that time we have built up a large portfolio of work for public and private sector clients across East Africa.
We aim to give clients practical, well-built and sustainable buildings, with one team responsible from the first brief through to handover.
- Established
- 2005
- Partners
- 7
- Years combined experience
- 100+
- Offices: Nairobi & Kigali
- 2
Purpose
Mission & vision
Our mission
To design functional, sustainable buildings that meet our clients' needs, drawing on our knowledge of local conditions to create places that respect their surroundings and work well every day.
Our vision
To be a leading architectural practice in East Africa, known for clear technical coordination, good design and reliable project delivery.
Ethos
Values & culture
These are the principles behind how we work with clients, consultants and each other.
- 01
Rigour & Accuracy
Drawings are checked by a second partner before they are issued, so that what we draw can be built as intended on site.
- 02
Sustainability First
We design for the local climate, with passive cooling, regionally available materials and building envelopes made to last.
- 03
Open Collaboration
The studio has a flat structure. Architects, interior designers and engineers share ideas from the first day of a project.
- 04
Professional Integrity
We act in our clients' interests, keep them informed and treat programme, budget and regulatory requirements seriously.
Working with us
How we engage
The AIA engagement model
We divide each project into clear phases to manage design quality, cost and the coordination of consultants.
- 01
Discovery & Site Analysis
We look at zoning, ground conditions, climate, available services and the client's commercial objectives.
- 02
Concept Design & 3D Modelling
We test layout and massing options in 3D and present the alternatives for the client to compare.
- 03
BIM Coordination & Documentation
Structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing designs are brought together in one coordinated model before construction drawings are issued.
- 04
Contract Administration & Supervision
We run the contractor tender, inspect the work at key stages and check that construction follows the approved drawings.
Benefits of engaging us
Partner oversight
With seven partners in the practice, a partner reviews the design at each stage of every project.
Offices in Nairobi and Kigali
Working from two countries, we know the approvals, logistics and building regulations in Kenya and Rwanda.
Coordinated drawings
Structural and services drawings are coordinated in 3D to find clashes before construction, which reduces costly changes on site.
Efficient layouts
For commercial clients, we plan floors to make good use of lettable area without compromising circulation or comfort.
Awards
Recognition
Industry awards
- 2024
AAK Excellence Award (Commercial Category)
Meru Rising Tower
- 2021
East Africa Property Award for Best Office Architecture
Alexander Forbes Headquarters
- 2018
African Property Awards for Public Service Architecture
Kigali Convention Complex (Advisory)
Architectural competition awards
- 2022
First Prize in Kigali Green Housing Masterplanning
Selected by the Rwanda Housing Authority for ecological urban integration.
- 2019
Winning Entry in the Stima Mall Redevelopment Competition
Recognised for solar facade innovation and high-capacity lobby design.
- 2015
Design Winner for the East Africa Regional Infrastructure Hub
Awarded for structural steel canopy layout and passenger coordination flow.
Assurance
Standards
Health & safety
Site safety is a priority on every project we supervise. Health and safety requirements are written into tender documents and contracts, so contractors know their obligations from the start.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required on all sites, and its use is checked weekly.
- Scaffolding and the positioning of heavy machinery are checked by registered structural engineers.
- Sites are zoned, hazards are signed, and emergency exit routes are planned and kept clear.
- Work follows Kenya's Occupational Safety and Health Act and environmental waste requirements.
Research & development
We study ways to improve the thermal performance of our buildings and the lifespan of the materials we use. Current areas of interest include:
Passive cooling
Using thermal chimneys and stack ventilation to cool multi-storey commercial buildings with less reliance on air conditioning.
Lower-carbon building blocks
Working with regional manufacturers to test the structural performance of composite building blocks.
Responsive solar shading
Designing louvres that follow the sun's path to reduce heat gain inside buildings.
Quality controls & assurance
Before drawings and models are released to the client or to site, they go through three internal checks.
- Stage 1
Peer review
An architect from another project team reviews the plans, layouts and circulation.
- Stage 2
Clash check
The coordinated model is checked for clashes between the structure, services and architecture.
- Stage 3
Partner sign-off
A director signs off the final construction and regulatory documents before they are issued.
Synergies
Partners & community
We work regularly with contractors, engineering consultants and planning professionals across the region.
We also work with BORAQS (the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors), the AAK (Architectural Association of Kenya) and IDAK (Interior Designers Association of Kenya) on professional standards and support for young professionals.
BORAQS Kenya
Architectural Association of Kenya
Interior Designers Association of Kenya
AIA CSR programmes
Alongside our commercial work, we run programmes that give something back to the communities we work in.
Pro-bono community design
Design and drawing services for schools, clinics and play areas in low-income settlements.
AIA Mentorship Initiative
Year-long placements for graduate architects and interns, covering site planning, BIM coordination and client projects.
Client feedback
Testimonials
“AIA Architects delivered the masterplan and design review with extraordinary technical precision. Their partners guided the planning boards smoothly, ensuring that our construction phase was completely clash-free.”
“The design studio combined outstanding spatial aesthetics with strict commercial pragmatism. Our commercial tower stands as a major landmark, returning high spatial rental value.”
Leadership
Meet the partners
Profiles of the partners and senior staff who lead our work.