Dragon House: Kenyans Divided By Chinese-Inspired House Design

A photo of a house with a unique design pictured in Kenya on Friday May 19, 2023
A photo of a house with a unique design pictured in Kenya on Friday, May 19, 2023
Photo
Boss Yator

Kenyans on Saturday, May 20 were torn after a photo of a house with 10 'wings' went viral with some nicknaming it the dragon house.

The bungalow house was the topic of discussion for its unique design resembling several buildings in ancient China.

Many questioned the reason for reportedly overdoing the roof with the extra wings and small and few windows.

"He overdid it while chasing uniqueness, four wings would have been enough and make it look okay. Now it looks like a dragon," one suggested.

A collage of two buildings in China  A collage of two buildings in China
A collage of two buildings located in China
Photo
China Today

"The 'dragon house' developer got value for their money. Whoever they consulted interpreted their brief and delivered," another added.

However, some noted that the design was inspired by Chinese architecture where buildings are fitted with extra wings on the roof.

To counter this, one suggested that ancient Chinese buildings often had a good balance between wall and roofing.

Additionally, others held that the roof would lead to dark interior space as the windows were too small and the roof blocked light. It was however undisclosed whether the windows on the roof directed light into the house.

Meanwhile, a civil engineer opined that there should be a balance between roofing and the wall adding, "I understand that a roof should ideally be one of the first noticeable elements in a structure. But it should not be overdone."

However, Kenyans lauded the workmanship of the house design while advising homeowners to seek advice from experts before embarking on a home.

"We want this level of creativity back in engineering, not those boxes that are currently the norm," one defended.

Others noted that the house may have been inspired by the Shaolin Temple in China, which has more wings on the roof.

A photo of the Sydney Opera House designed by the late Danish architect Jorn Utzon
A photo of the Sydney Opera House designed by the late Danish architect Jorn Utzon
Photo
ArchDaily

Besides Chinese ancient buildings, Kenyans compared the house to the Syndey Opera House with similar features.

The Opera House was designed by the late Danish architect Jorn Utzon. He designed the building with a series of arched white roofs shaped like the sails of boats to reflect his love for sailing.