9 types of buildings

These are the nine standard building classifications, as defined by most national building codes (including Kenya’s Building Code and the International Building Classification system).

Let’s go a bit deeper into what each category means, with Kenyan and practical examples for context:

🏠 1. Residential Buildings

Purpose: Designed primarily for people to live in.
Examples:

• Single-family houses and bungalows

• Apartments and flats

• Hostels, lodgings, and staff quarters

Kenyan examples: Estates in Kitengela, Ruiru, and Syokimau; gated communities like Two Rivers Residences.

Key features: Emphasis on safety, ventilation, comfort, and privacy.

🎓 2. Educational Buildings

Purpose: For teaching and learning activities.
Examples:

• Schools, universities, training colleges, kindergartens

• Libraries and research centers

Kenyan examples: University of Nairobi buildings, Strathmore University, and international schools like Brookhouse.

Special features: Adequate lighting, space per student, and emergency exits.

🏥 3. Institutional Buildings

Purpose: To serve public or community welfare functions.
Examples:

• Hospitals, clinics, dispensaries

• Orphanages, prisons, rehabilitation centers

• Old-age homes or children’s homes

Kenyan examples: Kenyatta National Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital, and Kamiti Prison facilities.

Design considerations: Accessibility, hygiene, emergency response, and safety.

🎭 4. Assembly Buildings

Purpose: For gatherings of people for entertainment, worship, or recreation.
Examples:

• Theatres, cinemas, stadiums, churches, mosques, community halls

Kenyan examples:
Nyayo Stadium, All Saints Cathedral, and KICC auditorium.

Features: Large open spaces, crowd flow design, and multiple exits for safety.

🏢 5. Business Buildings

Purpose: For commercial or professional transactions and administrative functions.
Examples:

• Office buildings, banks, call centers, and government offices

Kenyan examples:
Times Tower (KRA HQ), Britam Tower, and West End Towers.

Design priorities: Accessibility, efficiency, ventilation, and fire safety.

🏬 6. Mercantile Buildings

Purpose: For display and sale of goods — retail and wholesale trade.
Examples:

• Shops, supermarkets, malls, and markets

Kenyan examples:
Sarit Centre, Garden City Mall, Gikomba Market.

Key design aspects: Customer flow, loading bays, storage access, and security.

🏭 7. Industrial Buildings

Purpose: For manufacturing or assembling goods.
Examples:

• Factories, processing plants, workshops

Kenyan examples:
EPZ (Export Processing Zone) in Athi River, and factories in Thika and Industrial Area Nairobi.

Features: High ceilings, heavy machinery support, ventilation, and fire control.

📦 8. Storage Buildings

Purpose: For storing goods, products, or raw materials.
Examples:

• Warehouses, cold storage units, grain silos, go-downs

Kenyan examples:
Warehouses along Mombasa Road and Athi River Logistics Park.

Design aspects: Space optimization, temperature control, and security.

☢️ 9. Hazardous Buildings

Purpose: Handle or store materials that are flammable, explosive, or toxic.
Examples:

• Fuel stations, chemical plants, gas storage depots, fireworks factories

Kenyan examples:
Petroleum depots in Industrial Area, fertilizer plants, and LPG storage yards.

Design focus: Strict fire resistance, isolation zones, and safety protocols.

🧭 Summary Table