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ARCHITECT PROFILE
Passion, Creativity &work ethic
drives Planning Systems
With the Karen Waterfront and KCB Pensions Building as some of the high-profile projects Planning Systems
Services has worked on, Brushstrokes got the chance to profile the company’s success and achievements.
Michelle Purchase
Lead Editor: Planning
Systems Services LTD.
Who are Planning Systems
Services Ltd.?
Planning Systems Services is a 37-year
old company with a proud history of
success and innovation. We have received
19 international and 17 national awards
and commendations for architectural
excellence. This has largely been driven by
the sound leadership of Mumo Musuva who
heads a passionate and creatively inclined
team driven by ideas that promulgate
through every aspect. The result is an
innovative and creative design. Once a
client comes to Planning Systems, they
are guaranteed a thorough design process
and projects are delivered on budget and
on time.
Of the projects Planning
Systems has worked on, which
one stands out and why?
One of the most recently completed
projects is the Kenya Commercial Bank
(KCB) building, which displays the epitome
of creativity and innovation. It was the first
“passive tower” in Kenya, indicating that it
wasn’t mechanically cooled. At 25 floors, it
would have soared higher if there were no
airline flight path considerations. On a blue
skied day, its integrated vertical sun shading
fins and horizontal louvers serve to keep
directly heating sunlight out of the building
while at the same time allowing reflected
natural daylight via the fins light reflecting
finish and the high light transmittance
glass. Concrete waffles inside the building
absorb any heat and cool down during the
night. Despite challenges such as the height
restriction due to the flight path, the fierce
direct sunlight and the hard bedrock, we
completed a highly successful project.
What is the next key project?
Our upcoming project is the Karen
Waterfront. It is a mixed use, urban
development located in the commercial
heart of Karen. This is a move from a
suburban to a more urban development.
As the area grows, there is a necessity for
quality retail, commercial and residential
infrastructure. The newwaterfront property
will sit on 50 acres, within which a 3 acre
lake forms the development’s focal point.
The idea behind this “urban savannah”, is
to have a central node where one can work,
live and play.
To a prospective client, what
makes Planning Systems a cut
above the rest in the market?
Our team has a very strong work ethic
and
uses
the
latest
technological
advancements to deliver the best projects
for each of our clients. In addition to the
architectural company, we also have
Planning Project Management Ltd (PPM),
a successful project and development
management arm registered in 2010. PPM’s
success is derived from the firm knowledge
and understanding of coordinating the
triple bottom constraints of time, cost
and quality of work, as well as value & risk
management and procurement. Having
been commissioned to undertake some
large projects since being established, we
believe in continuous learning and keeping
up to date with the industry trends with Tilisi
and Albizzia Downs Estate on the current list
of master plans.
