Symbion Uganda

Executing Futuristic Architecture

Symbion’s vision is to lead in the provision of project management architecture interior design, and urban design services in Africa.

Over the last two decades, two distinct yet compatible faces of Symbion have emerged.

There is the Symbion that is keeping abreast with the fast changing and modernizing  techno-revolution of our continent; executing some of the most futuristic and “hard-line” architecture that is changing the city skylines, while there is the Symbion that is an integral part of the preservation of the eco-system; a Symbion that is about caring  for the environment, for is inhabitants and the land  upon which they line; one that utilizes the best in renewable materials that nature has to offer; one that innocently blends into  the unspoilt landscape, preserving it while enhancing is  beauty and utility.

Symbion’s vision is to lead in the provision of project management architecture interior design, and urban design services in Africa.

Its missions are numerous.  For a start, it is to be innovative throughout the real estate sector.  Secondly it is to identify, assess and be actively involved in projects which best utilize the maximum range of skills and abilities to provide the highest quality of product, client satisfaction, environmental responsibility and satisfactory financial returns.

The other point of interest for Symbion management is to meet the client’s requirements and the social, economic and cultural environment in which those requirements were generated.

In Uganda Symbion story begins in 1993 when the company was first established. At that time, service companies offering the full range of planning, design and management of architectural and interior designs were few. With a fast growing and immensely lucrative construction, agricultural and tourism sector Symbion had ready market for its services.

This also created a huge need for a highly specialized and professional backbone service for the sectors.

There was an increasing demand for modern office space for the growing concerns, residential houses for the highly discerning personnel they drew, while the burgeoning hospitality trade and commercial banking and financing companies sought nothing but the highest international standards.

The challenges and demands for the newly emerging company were thus set. Three decades down the line and the Symbion Group have received commissions throughout the length and breadth of the entire East African region from Kenya to Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Zambia, Burundi, Seychelles and all the way to Botswana, South Africa and Gabon.

The Symbion mark can be seen in high-rise office blocks, specialized recreational and clinical projects, huge commercial concerns and private residences.

Symbion have evolved distinct responses to client briefs over the years and a complete list of projects would read like the construction industry who’s who.

This is vivid in their most recent projects in Uganda like CoRSU Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Warid Telecom building, Course View Towers, LVFO in Jinja and an 8-storey office building on Lourdel Road comprising of office and retail space.

Major Buildings accomplished:
In Uganda, Symbion was involved in the renovation and refurbishment of the then dilapidated Crested Towers building to what is now a landmark building in the centre of Kampala.

The magnificent Kampala Serena Hotel (formerly Nile Hotel International) was refurbished, extended and modernized by Symbion and completed in 2006.

Other projects include the Mildmay Centre on Entebbe Road, Rainbow International School, most of the Barclays Bank branches and ATM sites countrywide, the KCB Uganda Ltd and FINA Bank offices and banking halls.

Most recently, Symbion has accoploshed KKT Plaza in Arua, Plot 107, Buganda Road and Studio House in Bugolobi, where the firms offices are located. Other projects are Bugolobi village mall, an office development on plir 26 Kyadindi road for DFCU Ltd, Nakawas business park, Tata project on Lugogo by pass, commercial block on plot 67/69 Nakasero road among others

Collaborations in Uganda
In providing the services mentioned above, Symbion collaborates with the best firms in Cost and Project Management. These include Barker Barton & Lawson, Buildcost Associates, Integrated YMR Partnership and others. On the engineering side, Symbion collaborates with both Structural & Civil engineering and Mechanical & Electrical engineering firms to produce the state-of-the-art projects that are user, environmental and cost friendly.

The engineering firms are diverse and each provides their own technical know-how which is integrated within the Symbion designs.  These include Multi-Konsults Ltd, Proman Consult Ltd, GEM Engineering Co. Kaburu Okello Consulting engineers and others.

Way forward
Symbion always produce appropriate and refined architecture that reflects the cultural and social traditions of the country in which every project is located.

The quality of the work has over the years won the admiration and satisfaction of their clients because by offering commercially viable solutions even on difficult sites, while gaining appreciation of building users and capturing the admiration of local authority planners.

Over the years Symbion have developed a commitment to a client’s requirement and the social, economic and cultural environment in which these requirements are generated. A great attention to detail has become a hallmark of the practice.

This integrationist approach to architecture and design mean that Symbion deliver not just ‘front of house’ design solutions, but integrate into the work ethic and practice an all round sensitivity that ensures the project’s logistics, cost and aesthetic considerations are catered for.

Symbion Uganda sets the trend for building designs
The Symbion Group and its core team of architects, technicians and designers, together with specialist consultants, are offering a comprehensive range of design services ranging from initial feasibility studies through to completed contracts.

The meticulous jobs handled comprise all types of architectural projects ranging from; small one-off extensions to large commercial, medical, leisure or residential developments sprawling the country at large.

Symbion International was established as an architectural practice in 1980 based in Nairobi before it spread its wings to several countries.

By 1993 Symbion Uganda was started as an associate practice with Symbion Tanzania coming into being in 1994. By 2009, Symbion International changed its trading status from partnership to Symbion Kenya Limited. In 2009 the Symbion Group of practices standardized trading status to limited liability companies throughout.

The other point of interest for Symbion management is to meet the client’s requirements and the social, economic and cultural environment in which those requirements were generated.

In addition Symbion is to develop a liaison between clients and consultants in which individual opinions and skill of both can contribute towards the success of the project.

The other is to ensure that the Design Team fully understands the client’s requirements and to co-ordinate its work as an integrated group.

The company also takes the trouble to ensure by efficient management and co-ordination that the financial resources of the client are used in the most efficient way and that financial and time objectives are maintained throughout the project.

The other tireless endeavor is to strive for excellence and achieve perfection in design work, meet professional and desirable ethical standards.

And finally Symbion’s goal is to produce appropriate and refined architecture and design which complementing the cultural and social traditions of the country in which it is located.