The government in partnership with the United Kingdom is planning to revamp the Nairobi Central Railway Station as part of a deal struck by former President Uhuru Kenyatta during a trip to London in 2020.
Revamping the station is estimated to cost Ksh30 billion which will be funded by the UK through a Public Private Partnership.
Although the project did not start in July, the UK firm International studio Atkins has released photos capturing the artist's impression of the station after the revamping is completed.
According to the architect, adding canopies was informed by Central African Boma enclosures. He added that structures were commonplace and created places where people could come together.
"The station form is inspired by the Boma – a circular community enclosure rooted in the heritage of Kenya and broader African culture," explained Atkins design director Chris Crombie.
He went on to say that the design of the station would have the capacity to hold up to 30,000 passengers per hour. The concept of 'big roof, small station' was being used to accommodate the expected passenger growth.
"We envisage the station in a similar way – a generous, democratic space at the heart of the city, providing a unique, open, welcoming place protected from but connected to the city beyond," he added.
Additionally, the architect stated that the station would also accommodate those not travelling. The public space will include ticket booths and cafes, sheltered by the main canopies.
In relation to the heavy rains experienced in the city, the roof is designed to collect and direct runoff water to attenuation tanks.
"To address this, the station roof is designed to collect and direct runoff to attenuation tanks then recycled to irrigate of the public realm planting or within the station's grey water system," Crombie explained.
