Introduction

Founded in 1956, the Department of Architecture and Building Science was at first the only Department of the Faculty of Architecture which later became the Faculty of Art and Architecture of the Royal Technical College of East Africa.

At the undergraduate level, the Department offers a six-year Bachelor of Architecture course leading to the degree of B.Arch. At the postgraduate level, the Department offers a Master of Architecture program which began in 1992. This postgraduate programme offers qualified graduates the opportunity to gain further education and experience in design and research in selected areas of specialization in Architecture.  Furthermore, the Department offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture. The doctoral programme trains candidates to conduct original research on the basis of a written thesis or design portfolio.

Philosophy

The Doctoral programme’s philosophy is in line with the University’s which is to provide leadership and stewardship as well as to give hope and faith to the Kenyan society so that graduates can excel in whatever they choose to do with passion, moral responsibility and a strong sense of patriotism.

This is further deepened by the Department’s philosophy which is based on commitment to the search for authentic Architecture through promotion of a sustainable environment with the pursuit of excellence in order to meet the needs of the built environment at the local, regional and global levels.

In pursuing this philosophy, the Department expects that doctoral candidates shall undertake research that explores design and its capacity to create innovations that advance the quality and understanding of the built environment.

Rationale

The Department offers the Three-year Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture Programme which comprises a written thesis or design portfolio.

Guided by market surveys, needs and stakeholders’ assessments, this programme is tailored to nurture and inspire Doctoral graduates to meet the needs of the Kenyan, East African region as well as the global built environment.

Areas of Specialization

Research in architecture basically incorporates a wide-ranging and diverse field. The Doctoral programme will therefore offer candidates an opportunity to gain further education and experience in selected areas of specialization in Architecture.

Specialization will therefore be offered in the following areas:

1. Architectural Design
2. Environmental Building Science
3. Building Technology
4. Landscape Design
5. Urban Design

The research inquiries will be carried out under the supervision of a supervisor who is a recognized specialist in the relevant field.

Objectives

The programme aims to further equip candidates with research and design skills that empower them to address challenges within the built environment.

As such, the objectives of the programme are: -

1. To advance design techniques as well as professional skills in the candidate’s selected area of specialization.
2. To develop the candidate’s ability to think critically as well as reason coherently concerning matters regarding the selected area of specialization with a clear mastery of scientific procedures. 
3. To expose the candidate to the current “state of art” in their selected area of specialization and develop their ability to undertake independent research in thesis writing or in the design portfolio,

Mode of Delivery

• Face-to-Face Mode

This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.

• Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning

In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus. 

• Blended Learning

This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.

Schedule of Intakes

The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September)

Application Information

You will be required to enter some basic information, including your email address and to choose a password. We will then send you an email to the address you entered, so that we can validate your account. When you have clicked on the validation link (sent to you in the email), you will be able to log in to the application system using the "Login" box below

For instructions on how to apply click here

To apply online here

Contacts of Support Persons

Chairman,

Telephone: +254-020-491 3519,

P.O Box 30197-00100, Nairobi

Email: architecture@uonbi.ac.ke

Located at ADD Building, along State House Road, Opp. YMCA

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of the programme include:

1. Prof. Robert Rukwaro, currently a lecturer in the department.
2. Dr. Yusuf Ebrahim, currently a lecturer in the department.
3. Josephine Malonza, currently a Lecturer in University of Rwanda, Kigali.
4. Dr. Kassim Omar, currently a lecturer in the department.
5. Dr. Peter Makchia, currently a lecturer in Technical University of Kenya.