Kenyan Architects To Make History At Venice Exhibition

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Stella Mutegi (left) and Kabage Karanja (right) pose for a photo at the Cave Bureau in Nairobi
THE NEW YORK TIMES

Architect and researcher Kabage Karanja is set to make an appearance at the Venice Architecture Biennale Exhibition with his work dubbed “Obsidian Rain.”

This will be the first Kenyan work to feature at the Venice Architecture Biennale Exhibition, which is a Cultural institution found in Italy established in 1895. 

Karanja recalls his inspiration from a past experience as a teenager drawn from the Mbai caves.

As part of  Hodari Boys, a youth mentorship programme, he went camping at Suswa Caves. The fact that humans' first encounter with architecture happened in caves fascinated Karanja. 

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A rendering of the Obsidian Rain for the Venice Architecture Biennale
THE NEW YORK TIMES

His practice was shaped by his passion for the natural environment as well as geological and anthropological investigations.

Karanja, alongside Stella Mutegi and Balmoi Abe, started their construction company, Cave Bureau in 2014, which is also set to become the first Kenyan firm to debut in the exhibition.

It comprises 1600 obsidian stones hanging at precise heights from a timber and net structure to replicate a section of the roof of the Mbai Caves. Karanja’s obsidian stones were gathered from Gilgil, Kenya.

Karanja also imported logs from Kenya, which are part of the architectural masterpiece. The logs are from an African Cedar tree and guests will be able to sit on them during the exhibition.

Their work has attracted well-known investors such as the United Nations and Cooper Hewitt in support of their artistry.

Speaking to The New York Times, he commented on how they use the projects as a way of bringing the territories together. 

Another design includes the Floating Zebra located in Dandora slum, Nairobi. 

Brazilian architect Gabriel Kozlowski, an assistant curator at the 2021 exhibition, mentioned that their artwork provides a platform to discuss issues such as social classes, racial imbalance and establishing equal rights.

Kabage studied at Loughborough University, Brighton University, Westminster University and Kingston University where he completed his architectural education qualifying as an architect under the Royal Institute of British Architects ( RIBA).

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Stella Mutegi (second right) and Kabage Karanja (left) pose for a photo at the Cave Bureau in Nairobi
THE NEW YORK TIMES
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Photo of the Floating Zebra at Dandora
CAVE_BUREAU