Construction

Dubai's ambitious venture into creating man-made islands has been both awe-inspiring and marred by catastrophic failures. One of the most infamous projects in this regard is "The World," a collection of 300 artificial islands constructed in the shape of a world map. While these islands were intended to be luxurious havens for the wealthy, the project has faced numerous challenges and setbacks. The initial...

There was a story this week on Daily Nation about how people's homes are being auctioned. The auctioneer says that some homes are being auctioned after someone has paid mortgage for 15 years. He says that such people die shortly after the ordeal.   This is why we urge people to think carefully before joining the home ownership by whatever means bandwagon. The main reason why the desire to...

Harness belt Distributes pressure to the whole body when falling.   Equipped with straps that stretch around shoulders, chest, hips and thighs.   2. The Lifeline :   An elastic or metal rope used as a security line that connects the worker to a fixed point of focus.   It can be horizontal or vertical.   3. Rope Grab :   A lifeline sliding...

Building a house with 1 million Kenyan shillings is possible, but it will require careful planning and execution. Here are some tips on how to do it: Choose the right location. The cost of land can vary greatly depending on the location. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider building your house in a less expensive area. Design a small house. The smaller your house, the less it...

Traders within Nairobi Railways club premises on Wednesday woke up only to find where they have been doing businesses flattened. Authorities descended on the area at night. On Wednesday morning, a dozen of police officers kept vigil at the gate, only allowing hotel workers into the highly guarded premises. "We do not allow anyone in. We only allow hotel workers. Go and find out finer details at...

After three years of renovation, Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium is finally complete with the launch set for September 26, 2020. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to grace the occasion. The repair of the second oldest stadium in the country began in 2017, with the venue completely closed off from sporting activities. Nyayo Stadium now has a new look with seats fitted on the terraces, which is an...

A house becomes a home when it fully reflects the owners’ style and preferences. Architects and interior designers alike often hit a snag when doing so for large families with members from different age groups. Parents and children have diverse needs when it comes to shared spaces and privacy. They have a unique personal style that needs to be incorporated into the design plans.   Design your...

Today in Narok, a disturbing incident occurred that highlights the concept of Disproportionate Collapse. The accompanying photograph vividly portrays the consequences of a weak foundation, as the superstructure remains seemingly unharmed and sturdy. However, it is crucial to comprehend that Disproportionate Collapse occurs when lateral forces, induced by lateral loads, inflict damage on specific areas of a...

Here is what to consider if you are looking to build, buy, or already own, a house with a flat roof. Pros: 1. Flat roofs are generally less expensive initially, to construct given the reduced areas involved. 2. The construction period is often shorter compared to traditional pitched roofs given their simpler style. 3. Access is broadly easier. 4. Internal space is not imposed on given...

Understanding Rainwater Harvesting System. Here's a breakdown of the components and process:   Core Components: ▪️ Rooftop: The primary collection surface for rainwater. ▪️ Gutter: Channels rainwater from the roof to the downspout. ▪️ Downspout: Directs rainwater from the gutter to the storage tank. ▪️ Filter: Removes debris and impurities from the...

Today, the internet is awash with young people in employment who are looking for financial advice. One of the most common questions is, how can I save enough to build that dream house or retirement home? Going by some media reports, it is easy to conclude that many people have pieces of land, but they have been unsuccessful in developing the land because they live from paycheck to...

Example suppose we have a column. The height of the column is 4 m and having a cross-sectional area is 300 x 400 mm and having a 40 mm of clear cover. Six bars are going to use having a diameter of 16 mm. The diameter of the stirrup is 8 mm and having a spacing @ 150 mm and @200 mm at L/3 respectively. Given Data Height  = 4 meter Cross section = 300 x 400 mm Clear cover  = 40 mm. No of...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1301999485447438336 In 2014, Ross sold his 10,086-square-foot home Fort Lauderdale to buy a large estate formerly owned by a boxing legend in Fayetteville, Georgia. Rick Ross’ purchased the mansion for $5.8 million (ksh629 million) after it had fallen into foreclosure under previous owner Evander Holyfield. The 54,000-square-foot estate is the largest single-family mansion...

Most steel construction is done with a type of steel called mild steel. Mild steel is a material that is immensely strong.  Take a circular bar of steel 1 inch / 25mm in diameter. If you were to attach this bar securely to your ceiling, you could hang from it 20,000 Kg (which is 20 tons) This immense strength is of great advantage to buildings.  The other important feature of steel framing is its...

 5 Steps How to Calculate Quantity for Paint. 1. First, assess the size of the area that you’re painting. Grab a friend to help measure the width and height of walls with a metal tape measure and multiply these together to calculate the overall square metre measurement.    2. Subtract the space used by windows and doors using the same calculation method as above, and remove these from your...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1626212720524554241   Earthquakes are natural disasters that have the potential to cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. As such, it is important to build earthquake-resistant houses that can withstand seismic activity and provide safety for residents. In this article, I will discuss some of the key elements that should be incorporated into the...

Crowd-pulling pastor Ezekiel Odero has allowed the media into the sprawling 65-acre property owned by New Life Church which he founded.   Odero noted that the multi-million investment in Mavueni, Kilifi County, is set to become a self-sufficient neighbourhood with several social amenities.   True to the very word that he preaches, the man of cloth used 10 per cent of the land to...

It's important to choose a floor finish that's durable and easy to clean. Also, think about how it can complement and work with your chosen theme.  Here's a guide on the common types of floor finishes you can work with. Be sure to review the advantages and disadvantages of each before making your decision: Hardwood Wood Hardwood floors mostly come in solid planks but can also be in smaller pieces like...

i. One is to visit the Survey of Kenya offices in the ministry of land departments to obtain a survey plan. A survey plan from Survey of Kenya is a required document when applying for a building permit. ii. You should then proceed to request for Folio Registry number search: You are required to provide proof of land ownership when requesting for the survey plan. One is shown the survey plan to...

For general purposes, mix 6 parts sand to 1 part cement. For heavy duty projects, you may mix 4 parts sand to 1 part cement, but recently,  best results however is mixing 3 parts sand to 1 part cement. The ratio you choose depends on the intended use. For example, load-bearing structures such as foundations require a higher sand to cement ratio than non-load-bearing structures. Check out the...