BOOKBUNK MAKADARA
Completed in 2019
Makadara, Nairobi
Bright
Low
Inhouse
Simon Kahura
Bookbunk’s commendable mission to restore Nairobi’s iconic public libraries has become a beacon of cultural revitalization. Among these transformative projects, the Makadara Library, strategically located a stone’s throw away from the law courts and county offices, occupies a central role. Sharing a compound with the Huduma Centre, a public service hub, this library serves as a dynamic community hub. Boasting the highest foot traffic among Bookbunk’s library restoration endeavors, the Makadara Library welcomes an average of 182 users daily, the majority of whom are residents in the immediate vicinity.
In a collaborative venture that seamlessly marries cultural preservation with contemporary design, Brookhill Projects assumed the role of the design and build team for the Makadara Library. The vision for this space went beyond mere restoration; it aimed to create an environment that is not only functional but also visually captivating, welcoming, and intimately connected with the vibrant Eastlands culture it serves.
Brookhill’s design philosophy for the Makadara Library was rooted in the enhancement of the overall user experience. The space was crafted to be more scenic, leveraging the abundance of natural lighting to create an atmosphere that is both refreshing and invigorating. The incorporation of Eastlands culture became a guiding principle, with the design featuring fantastic cultural elements, murals, and forward-thinking features aimed at ensuring the longevity of the library as a community asset. One of the notable design interventions was the creation of cozy reading nooks strategically positioned around large windows, providing readers with a scenic backdrop for their literary journeys. The introduction of a fully-fledged kitchen added a layer of functionality, transforming the library into a holistic community space.
The collaboration between Bookbunk and Brookhill Projects resulted in a transformative project that not only revitalized the Makadara Library but also contributed to the cultural fabric of Eastlands. The attention to detail, incorporation of community elements, and the emphasis on future-proofing ensure that the Makadara Library stands as not just a restored space but a dynamic and sustainable community asset. This project, culminating in an 8-month journey, represents more than a physical restoration; it symbolizes the restoration of community pride, a celebration of cultural heritage, and a commitment to fostering a love for literature and learning. The handover of the Makadara Library marked not just the completion of a construction project but the beginning of a new chapter in the cultural and educational landscape of Nairobi’s Eastlands.
