Winning Team Team Confluence

Members: Jason Muthamia Mwenda, Neema Nyakwea Gitahi, Shekinah Chepngetich, Atuk Essy Tracy

Project Overview Learn As You Go In Ripples

The Maarifa Community Centre proposal, titled "Learn As You Go In Ripples" after Mukuru's converging rivers, adaptively repurposes a disused school hall into a multi-functional community hub. The design establishes a central core from which an adaptable learning ecosystem radiates outward, integrating skills training, public space, and health services, including pre- and post-natal care.

Environmental measures include permeable walkways, French drains, bioswales, rainwater harvesting, and eco-buffers for microclimate cooling, addressing chronic flooding and heat exposure. Circular economy strategies convert waste paper and plastic into vertical farming units and used tyres into public seating. The proposal was developed through a participatory co-design process involving students, traders, and healthcare workers, situating implementation within the community's existing needs and practices.

Check out the documentation tab to view the winning team's proposal!

Honorable Mentions

• Delta with members Aman Bansal, Srabasti Lahiri, Suhenda Demir

• MUKURU URBAN REVIVE with members Martha Barasa, Pharel Omondi, Gordon Zablon, Randy Becha, Gloria Wambui, Britney Ndili Wambani, Renee Muthiani, Kibe Mercy Muthoni, Samuel Huko

Congratulations to all participating teams! Thank you for bringing your bold visions to this site challenge.

The Site

Located in Imara Daima Ward within the Mukuru informal settlement, Mukuru Community Centre School is a vital hub providing education, health services and community programmes to thousands of residents. The area faces significant environmental challenges, including flash floods, heat stress, poor air quality and limited basic infrastructure. Nairobi City County invites students to propose innovative, inclusive and climate-resilient design ideas that transform the school into a safer, greener and healthier community space.

Approx. site area

Approximately 1–2 acres, within the Imara Daima neighbourhood of Mukuru.

Key information

The school serves more than 3,500 students and receives around 4,000 users daily, offering primary and junior secondary education, a maternity unit, vocational training and community services. The surrounding settlement is characterised by unpaved access routes, inadequate drainage, limited water and sanitation, and high exposure to flooding, heat and air pollution.