Modern, Chic and Functional ‘Dezyns’
Insignia Dezyns, a young architectural studio in Nairobi has big dreams.
With the mission of Innovation-Design-Architecture, Insignia Dezyns was established in 2007 by two undergraduate students of Architecture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).The founders, Wilson Mugambi and Moses Munga, were very good friends and were in fact roommates at the time. In 2010, the firm was registered as a limited liability company.
Wilson is the principal of the firm and is a Registered Architect with The Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), a Corporate Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and is also the Registrar of the Architects Chapter in AAK while Moses is a graduate Member of AAK and on course to obtain his registration with BORAQS.
So what was the thought process behind the name Insignia Dezyns? Well, to evoke the dynamism and zest that they intended to bring into the industry, the founding partners took their time picking out a name that best matched their vision of making impressive designs that best represented their firm and Insignia Dezyns it was. Insignia is Latin for symbol or emblem while Dezyns is an artistic way of spelling ‘design’.
Managerial Structure
The firm operates with 2 Architects, 1 Landscape Architect and 1 Interior Designer. Wilson, the principal, specializes in the overall management of the firm’s day-to-day activities. He also has an eye for spatial planning and conceptual designs while Moses is in charge of design and manages the studio activities such as 3D visualizations and detailing. Swabrina Maneno is an associate who handles Interior Design and Décor while Cleophas Owiti, is a qualified Landscape Architect and is skilled in architectural detailing.
Services
Insignia Dezyns prides itself in architectural design, interior design and property development consultancy. The firm undertakes in the following;
Conceptual design
Schematic design
Three dimensional visualization and rendering
Preparation of working drawings
Project management
Being a fairly young firm, and due to clients with varying requirements, Insignia Dezyns chooses not to specialize but to explore the various opportunities that come its way. However, the majority of projects under its portfolio are residential in nature. The firm’s geographical area of operation is quite spread out with projects in 5 different Counties in Kenya. Currently, Insignia Dezyns does not have projects outside the country but intends to explore such opportunities.
Industry Overview
According to Arch. Wilson Mugambi, the current state of the building industry in Kenya is outlined very well but poorly implemented. Quacks still cost the industry a lot. However, “The business climate in the country is very healthy and more people are opting for professional consultancy,” says Mugambi. He continues, “Government support for stakeholders is good for the most part but the recent devolution has brought drastic changes especially on costs of development approvals. Worth noting is that, professionalism is still very intact and due to the immense growth and competition in the sector, being taken very seriously.”
On remuneration of professionals, the architect adds that the average Kenyan client still haggles aggressively for cheaper fees, but most appreciate the service provided by architects.
The two brains behind Insignia Dezyns agree that the quality of training in Kenya is very good though the quality of some graduates is compromised since Universities are admitting more students than their capacity (staff and facilities) can handle.
10 years from now, Insignia sees itself having a firm footing in the East African region with several big projects dotting the region. “We also hope to have a large office with several Associates churning out designs with utmost efficiency,” concludes Architect Mugambi.
Insignia Dezyns Projects Gallery
