Villa Sori, a three-storey hillside residence in Sori, Kenya, with white render, local stone, terracotta brick and glass balustrades, designed by Aalis Studios

Villa Sori, Sori, Kenya

Award-winning architects in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2010

Architects and interior designers in Nairobi, Kenya

Aalis Studios designs and builds modern homes, luxury villas and commercial spaces for clients in Kenya and across the diaspora. Architecture, interiors, quantity surveying and construction management sit under one roof, so your design is the building you get.

  • BORAQSRegistered architects, Reg. No. A1867
  • AAKMember, Architectural Association of Kenya
  • EDGECertified architect, IFC green building standard
  • NCARegistered with the National Construction Authority
  • Lexus Design AwardAward-winning architecture and interior design practice
  • 100+ projectsCompleted architecture and design projects

What we do

Architecture, interiors and construction from one Nairobi studio

Whether you are planning a family home, a villa, an office fit-out or a mixed-use development, you work with one team from the first sketch to handover.

Interior design and space planning

Layouts, curated finishes, lighting, furniture planning and full styling for homes and commercial interiors in Nairobi, Karen, Westlands, Kiambu and the coast.

Interior design services in Kenya

Design and build

One accountable team that designs, prices and builds. Fewer handovers between consultants means fewer surprises on site.

Construction company in Nairobi

Project management and supervision

Site supervision, budget monitoring, contractor coordination and quality control, so the building matches the drawings.

Construction supervision

Quantity surveying and cost control

Cost estimates and budget tracking that keep a project honest from feasibility through final account.

Quantity surveying services

We also offer stand-alone design review, approvals facilitation, drawing stamping and advisory services for projects that are already under way.

Our specialisms

Architecture and interior design services in Nairobi and across Kenya

Our architects and interior designers work from the same brief, so the building and the rooms inside it are planned together. Explore the services our clients ask for most.

Comparing firms? Read how to choose among architects in Kenya, or book a Project Exploration Session to talk through your brief with one of our architects.

Why Aalis Studios

A registered practice led by an architect, accountable from drawing to site

Led by a registered, EDGE certified architect
Arch. Vincent Abuya founded the practice in 2010 as Aalis Avant-Garde and leads every project, with a focus on green building and climate-responsive design.
Design and construction under one roof
Architecture, interiors, quantity surveying and project management work from the same brief, so decisions made in design survive on site.
Built for Kenyan sites and budgets
Our designs respond to local climate, building codes, materials and contractors, from affordable modern homes to luxury residences and commercial developments.
Award-winning design
Aalis Studios is an award-winning practice and a Lexus Design Award winner, recognised for contemporary design that works on real Kenyan sites.
Clear communication
You know the scope, the cost and the next step at every stage, whether you are in Nairobi or on another continent. Read client testimonials.

Client reviews

Rated 5.0 on Google by our clients

Reviews of Aalis Studios, listed on Google as AALIS Architecture and Design, from our clients.

★★★★★

“I highly recommend Aalis Studios! Their team took our vision and turned it into a stunning architectural masterpiece. The final result is both functional and beautiful, exceeding all our expectations.”
Victor K, Google review

★★★★★

“The best architects in Kenya. They handled my project with professionalism.”
Ruth M, Google review

★★★★★

“Professional and creative architectural service from inception to project completion.”
Seargent, Google review

★★★★★

“I appreciate the thoughtful planning and unique design elements that set them apart.”
Eric N, Google review

Read all our reviews on Google, or visit our client testimonials page.

Selected work

Recent architecture and interior projects in Kenya

Our portfolio of 100+ completed projects spans residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use work in Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kisii, Naivasha, Eldoret and beyond.

Villa Sori, a three-storey hillside home in Kenya with a white pergola, terracotta brick and glass balustrades, by Aalis Studios

Sori, Kenya, 2025, hillside residence

Villa Sori

A three-storey hillside home that steps with the contours of its site. Local stone, terracotta brick and glass balustrades frame views of the valley, with a rooftop terrace above.

Architecture, landscape and stone masonry

Villa Kijani, a luxury villa in a gated Nairobi estate with a double-height entrance portal and stone pilasters, by Aalis Studios

Nairobi, Kenya, 2025, luxury villa

Villa Kijani

A luxury villa in a gated Nairobi estate with a double-height entrance portal, full-height glazing, stone pilasters and deep covered balconies.

Architecture, interiors and landscape

Villa Konza, also known as Konza Mansion, a contemporary residence in Kenya with a curved glass rotunda, stone cladding, dark steel canopies and a timber staircase, by Aalis Studios

Konza, Kenya, 2025, contemporary residence

Konza Mansion (Villa Konza)

A residence that pairs classical rendered volumes with a modern wing of dark steel, stone cladding and frameless glass, anchored by a curved glass rotunda.

Architecture, interiors and landscape

More from the portfolio: J. South Villa, a four bedroom villa in Kiambu designed and built by Aalis Studios with a minimalist interior (completed January 2026), and Mushroom Villa, a contemporary home currently at design stage.

3D visualisation

See your design before it is built

Photorealistic renders and walkthroughs let you test the layout, materials and lighting of your home or development before construction begins, so you can approve it with confidence, wherever you are in the world. Read about 3D rendering cost in Kenya.

3D visualisation of a contemporary two-storey villa with a curved roof, floor-to-ceiling glazing, covered terrace and swimming pool, designed by Aalis Studios
Contemporary villa with a curved roof and pool
3D visualisation at dusk of a villa with a curved timber roof, stone base, glazed living areas and landscaped garden, designed by Aalis Studios
Curved timber-roof villa with stone base, at dusk
3D visualisation of a contemporary villa behind a landscaped boundary wall with a timber screen, rooftop pergola and palms, designed by Aalis Studios
Contemporary villa with timber screen and rooftop pergola
3D visualisation of coastal residences with curved terraces, stone feature walls, palms and a garden walkway leading to the sea, designed by Aalis Studios
Coastal residences with curved terraces and garden walkway
3D visualisation of a classical villa with a terracotta tile roof, double-height glazing and a fountain in a paved entrance court, designed by Aalis Studios
Classical villa with double-height glazing and fountain court

Diaspora clients

Build a home in Kenya from abroad, without being on site

Many of our clients live in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. We handle the work that needs a presence in Kenya and keep you informed at every stage.

How diaspora building works
  1. Brief by video call

    Share your plot, budget and ideas. We confirm what is realistic before any design fees are committed.

  2. Design and review remotely

    Concept designs and 3D visuals are reviewed with you online until the design is right.

  3. Approvals and costing

    We prepare the documentation and cost estimates needed to move from design to construction.

  4. Supervised construction

    Our team supervises on site and reports progress and costs back to you regularly.

Our project platform

FinishFlow keeps your project visible from design to handover

FinishFlow is the project management platform we built and use on every project. Tracking, costs and client updates sit in one place, so you always know where your build stands.

Ask how it works on your project

  • Project trackingClients, projects and milestones managed in one system, from first enquiry to handover.
  • Construction financeInterim payment certificates and bills of quantities connected, so costs stay under control.
  • Client portalA portal to follow your project, including features for diaspora clients, with access set by role.

Where we work

Architects and interior designers serving Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa and across Kenya

  • Nairobi
  • Karen
  • Westlands
  • Kilimani
  • Lavington
  • Parklands
  • Runda
  • Muthaiga
  • Kileleshwa
  • Hurlingham
  • Kiambu
  • Juja
  • Ruiru
  • Thika
  • Tatu City
  • Varsityville Estate
  • Mombasa
  • Diani
  • Kisumu
  • Nakuru
  • Eldoret
  • Kisii
  • Naivasha
  • Master planning across East Africa

Comparing options? See our page on architects in Kenya, our interior design services in Kenya and our answers to common questions.

Trusted by organisations and developers including:

  • DHL Kenya
  • Huawei
  • Kisii County
  • Mintvilla Housing
  • Forum Syd
  • Rox Engineering

Questions

Frequently asked questions about working with Aalis Studios

Do you offer design and build in Nairobi?

Yes. Aalis Studios can take a project from architectural design through construction as one team, or design your project and supervise the build while your chosen contractor builds it.

Can I build a house in Kenya if I live abroad?

Yes. Many of our clients build from the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. We run briefings and design reviews by video call, handle approvals and site supervision locally, and report progress to you regularly.

Which areas of Kenya do you work in?

We are based in Nairobi and have completed projects in Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Diani, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kisii, Naivasha and Eldoret. We also work with clients elsewhere in Kenya and East Africa.

What do your house plans include?

Custom house plans cover concept design, 3D visualisation and construction documentation, shaped around your site, climate and budget. Approval drawings and stamping are available as separate services.

How much does it cost to build a house in Kenya?

Cost depends on size, finishes, site conditions and location, so a single figure rarely fits. Our guides break down cost per square metre and budgets for 3 and 4 bedroom homes, and a consultation gives you an estimate for your own plot.

How much do architects charge in Kenya?

Fees depend on the size of the project, the scope of service and the stages you need. Our guide to architect fees in Kenya explains how fees are usually structured, and we can quote for your project after a short consultation.

Are you a registered architecture firm in Kenya?

Yes. The practice is led by Arch. Vincent Abuya, registered with BORAQS (Reg. No. A1867), a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya and an EDGE certified architect. The firm is registered with the National Construction Authority.

How much does a consultation cost?

A 1-hour Project Exploration Session costs KES 20,000 and a 2-hour Deep Dive costs KES 35,000, VAT excluded. A free 10-minute fit call is optional. If you book design within 90 days, the fee is credited in full against the design fee.

What is the difference between an architect and an interior designer?

An architect designs the building itself: its layout, structure, approvals and construction drawings. An interior designer plans the inside: space planning, finishes, lighting, furniture and styling. At Aalis Studios both disciplines work from the same brief, so the interior is planned together with the building.

Do you design commercial interiors as well as homes?

Yes. We design residential interiors and commercial interiors, including offices, restaurants and hospitality spaces, in Nairobi and across Kenya.

How much do interior designers charge in Kenya?

Interior design fees depend on the size of the space, the level of finishes and whether you want design only or full procurement and styling. Our guides on interior finishes cost and kitchen interior design cost in Nairobi help you budget, and we can quote for your project after a consultation.

How do I choose an architect in Kenya?

Check that the architect is registered with BORAQS, ask to see completed projects similar to yours, and agree the scope, stages and fees in writing. Our page on architects in Kenya explains what to look for.

How do I get started?

Book a consultation or message us on WhatsApp. Tell us about your site, budget and timeline and we will advise on the right next step.

Start your project

Talk to an architect in Nairobi about your project

Tell us about your plot, your budget and what you want to build. A 1-hour Project Exploration Session costs KES 20,000, VAT excluded. See the sessions and rates.

Practice
Aalis Studios, Architecture + Interiors
Address
1st Floor, Sundial Plaza, Eastern Bypass off Thika Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday, 9.00am to 5.00pm