Aalis Studios — About Us Nairobi's Award-Winning Architecture Firm
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Award-winning luxury villa with infinity pool at sunset — Aalis Studios architecture Kenya
Established 2010 · Nairobi, Kenya
About Aalis Studios

We Design Spaces
That Define How You Live.

Nairobi's award-winning architecture and interior design firm. Fifteen years of crafting extraordinary homes, commercial buildings, and communities across Kenya — and around the world.

View Our Projects Start a Conversation
15+
Years of Practice
100+
Completed Projects
47
Counties Served Across Kenya
1st
African Firm to Win Lexus Design Award
Who We Serve

Tell Us Who You Are.
We'll Show You Where to Start.

Every client who comes to Aalis Studios has different needs, different goals, and a different journey ahead. Choose your path below to discover exactly how we can help you.

Home
🏠
Path 01 — Residential
I Want to Build
My Dream Home
You have land in Kenya and a vision in your mind. You need an architect who will translate that vision into something extraordinary — on budget, on time, and built to last a lifetime.
Luxury home design Kenya Affordable house plans Kenya Cost of building a house in Kenya 2026 Interior design services Kenya
Start Your Home →
Away
✈️
Path 02 — Diaspora
I Am Abroad &
Building in Kenya
You live in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia and want to build in Kenya safely — without fraud, without stalled projects, without sending money into a void. We have built the system for you.
Safe diaspora build guide 2026 Build in Kenya from UK Build in Kenya from USA Build in Kenya from Australia
Diaspora Build Guide →
Build
🏗️
Path 03 — Commercial / Developer
I Am a Developer or
Commercial Client
You are developing an office building, mixed-use project, hotel, retail centre, or residential estate. You need an architecture firm that understands commercial viability as well as design excellence.
Commercial architecture Nairobi Master planning Kenya Mixed-use development design Construction management Kenya
Discuss Your Development →
Aerial view of luxury villa with pool and landscaped gardens — Aalis Studios Kenya Modern Kenyan house with stone facade lit at evening — Aalis Studios
Est. 2010 — Nairobi, Kenya
Our Story

Born in Nairobi.
Built for the World.

Aalis Studios was founded in Nairobi in 2010 with a single, uncompromising conviction: that great architecture is not a luxury reserved for the few — it is a right that shapes how every person experiences their home, their workspace, and their city.

Over the fifteen years since, we have grown from a small design practice into one of Kenya's most respected and recognized architecture firms — led by a team of BORAQS-registered architects, NCA-certified construction managers, and passionate designers who believe that every project, regardless of scale, deserves exceptional creative thinking.

"Architecture is not decoration. It is the skeleton of a life lived well. We approach every project with that conviction — whether it is a three-bedroom home in Kiambu or a luxury villa on the Kenya coast." — Arch. Vincent Abuya, Principal Architect & Founder

We have designed over 100 completed projects across all 47 counties in Kenya — from intimate private residences to large-scale mixed-use developments, from diaspora builds managed remotely from the UK and USA to award-winning community design installations recognized on the international stage.

In 2020, Aalis Studios — in association with Kenyan design studio BellTower — became the first African team to win the Lexus Design Award Grand Prix, selected from 2,042 submissions across 79 countries. That recognition confirmed what our clients already knew: Aalis Studios brings world-class design thinking to every brief we touch.

Our Mission

We Reimagine Real Estate
with Innovation, Sustainability,
and Exceptional Service.

At Aalis Studios, we craft timeless communities and spaces that harmonize with nature, elevate human experience, and inspire confidence for generations. Our work is guided by a deep commitment to architectural integrity, environmental responsibility, and the belief that design should serve people — not impress them.

Every project begins with listening. We invest time understanding your life, your aspirations, your constraints, and the context of the land before we draw a single line. That discipline of listening first and designing second is what separates our work from the ordinary.

We are not a firm that produces templates. Every building we design is original — conceived for its specific site, its specific client, and its specific moment in time.

Our Values
01
Integrity in Every Line
We design what we say we will build, and we build what the drawings specify. No shortcuts. No surprises. Complete professional accountability from concept to handover.
02
Excellence Without Compromise
We hold ourselves to international standards on every project, regardless of scale or budget. Exceptional design thinking is not a premium add-on — it is our baseline.
03
Sustainability by Design
As EDGE-certified architects, we integrate passive design strategies, energy efficiency, and environmental sensitivity into every project as standard — not as an afterthought.
04
Transparency in All Things
From fee proposals to BOQ estimates to construction reporting — our clients always know exactly where their money is going and what is being built with it.
🏛️
Arch. Vincent Abuya
Principal Architect & Founder — Aalis Studios
Principal Architect & Founder

Arch. Vincent Abuya —
A Vision That Changed
African Architecture.

Arch. Vincent Abuya is the founder and principal architect of Aalis Studios. A BORAQS-registered architect, EDGE-certified sustainable designer, and internationally recognized creative, he has spent over fifteen years building one of Kenya's most distinctive architectural practices from the ground up.

His design philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for context — the land, the climate, the culture, and the people who will inhabit every space he creates. He designs buildings that feel inevitable: as if they could only ever exist exactly where they are, exactly as they are. His residential work ranges from intimate family homes to grand luxury estates; his commercial portfolio includes Grade-A office buildings, hospitality venues, retail centres, and mixed-use developments across Kenya's major urban centres.

In 2020, Arch. Abuya — in association with BellTower studio — became the first African architect to win the Lexus Design Award Grand Prix. The winning project, Open Source Communities, proposed a radical rethinking of how communities share resources, space, and civic life. It was selected from 2,042 submissions across 79 countries and presented to judges from Lexus, WIRED, and leading design institutions worldwide.

Beyond individual projects, Arch. Abuya has become Kenya's most trusted voice on diaspora construction — building systems and processes that allow Kenyans in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia to build their homes safely, beautifully, and with complete professional oversight.

🏛️
BORAQS Registered
Board of Registration of Architects & Quantity Surveyors — Kenya
🏆
Lexus Design Award 2020
Grand Prix Winner — First African team to win this international prize
🌿
EDGE Certified
Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies — Sustainable Architecture
🔨
NCA Registered
National Construction Authority — Kenya. Certified Construction Manager.
Luxury architectural project by Aalis Studios — Lexus Design Award winners Kenya
International Recognition

Lexus Design Award 2020 —
Grand Prix Winner.
The First in Africa.

The Lexus Design Award is one of the world's most prestigious design prizes — a global platform for emerging designers who are pushing the boundaries of what design can do for humanity. Past winners have gone on to define the future of technology, urban living, and material science.

In 2020, Aalis Studios — in association with the Kenyan design studio BellTower — submitted Open Source Communities: a design proposal for a new model of resource-sharing within urban informal settlements. The project asked a fundamental question: what if communities were designed not around private ownership, but around shared, adaptable infrastructure?

The judges selected it as Grand Prix winner from 2,042 submissions across 79 countries — making Aalis Studios and BellTower the first African design team to win this international prize in its history.

That recognition was not just a moment of pride for the firm. It was a signal to the world — and to Kenya — that African architectural thinking belongs at the forefront of the global conversation.

2,042
Total Global Submissions
79
Countries Represented
1st
African Team to Win
2020
Grand Prix Year
See Our Award-Winning Work →
Our Journey

Fifteen Years of Building Kenya

2010
Aalis Studios Founded — Nairobi, Kenya
Arch. Vincent Abuya establishes Aalis Studios in Nairobi with a founding commitment to delivering international-quality architectural design rooted in Kenyan context and culture.
Founding
2013
First Major Residential Portfolio — Nairobi Suburbs
A landmark year of residential completions across Karen, Runda, and Kiambu — establishing Aalis Studios as a leading residential architect in Nairobi's premium property market.
Residential Growth
2016
BORAQS Registration & NCA Certification
Full registration with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) and NCA certification for construction management — formalizing the firm's legal standing and expanding services to full design-to-build delivery.
Credentials
2018
Diaspora Services Desk Launched
Aalis Studios formalizes its dedicated diaspora services — structured remote management systems for clients building in Kenya from the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. A system built from real client experience, not theory.
Diaspora
2019
EDGE Certification — Sustainable Architecture
Arch. Abuya achieves EDGE certification for sustainable design — integrating energy efficiency, water conservation, and embodied carbon reduction into standard practice across all Aalis Studios projects.
Sustainability
2020
Lexus Design Award 2020 — Grand Prix
Aalis Studios and BellTower win the Lexus Design Award Grand Prix — becoming the first African design team in history to receive this international prize. The winning project, Open Source Communities, is selected from 2,042 entries across 79 countries.
🏆 Grand Prix
2022
100+ Projects Milestone — All 47 Counties
Aalis Studios passes the 100-project milestone, with completed works spanning all 47 counties in Kenya. The portfolio includes luxury residences, commercial offices, hospitality venues, institutional buildings, master-planned estates, and diaspora builds across the country.
Portfolio Milestone
2026
Now — Kenya's Most Trusted Architecture Firm
Today, Aalis Studios is Kenya's most trusted full-service architecture and design practice — serving residential, commercial, institutional, and diaspora clients across Kenya and internationally. Now booking Q3 2026 projects.
Present
The Team

The People Behind Every Project

Aalis Studios is powered by a multidisciplinary team of architects, interior designers, 3D visualization specialists, quantity surveyors, and project managers who bring deep expertise and genuine passion to every project we undertake.

🏛️
Arch. Vincent Abuya
Principal Architect & Founder
BORAQS-registered. EDGE-certified. Lexus Design Award 2020 Grand Prix winner. Founding vision and creative lead on all signature projects.
📐
Design Studio
Architecture & Technical Team
A team of BORAQS-registered architects and architectural technicians delivering precision drawings, county approvals, and structural documentation across all project types.
🛋️
Interiors Studio
Interior Design Team
Bespoke interior designers specializing in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality environments. From concept mood boards to full fit-out coordination.
🌍
Diaspora Desk
Remote Project Management
Dedicated remote management team for diaspora clients in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia — QS valuations, drone reporting, milestone payments, and video updates.
Interested in joining Kenya's most innovative architecture firm? We are always looking for exceptional talent.
Get In Touch →
Our Approach

How We Think About Architecture

01
👂
Listen Before We Draw
Great architecture begins with great listening. We invest substantial time understanding your life, your aspirations, your site, and your budget before producing a single line of design. The more we understand, the more resolved the design becomes on the first attempt.
02
✏️
Design With Conviction
We do not produce safe, generic designs. Every building we create has a clear architectural point of view — a considered response to its site, its programme, and its people. We believe timeless buildings come from committed creative decisions, not from playing it safe.
03
🖥️
Visualize Before You Commit
We produce photorealistic 3D renders of every project before construction begins. This gives clients complete visual certainty — and allows us to refine and perfect the design before a single resource is committed to the build.
04
📋
Document Everything
Precise, complete documentation is the foundation of cost-certainty and construction quality. Our drawings are meticulous because we know that vague documents produce expensive surprises on-site. Every build starts with a fully coordinated, contractor-ready drawing package.
05
🔨
Supervise With Rigour
We do not hand over drawings and disappear. Our architects and project managers maintain active involvement through every stage of construction — inspecting quality, managing variations, and ensuring the built outcome matches the design intent exactly.
06
🤝
Build Relationships, Not Just Buildings
The most rewarding aspect of our work is not the awards — it is the long-term relationships we build with clients who return to us, project after project, because they trust us completely. That trust is our most carefully protected asset.
Project Case Studies

The Brief. The Challenge.
The Result.

Design claims are easy. Proven outcomes are different. Here are three real project stories that show how we work — and what we deliver.

Luxury villa with infinity pool and sunset views — Aalis Studios residential Kenya
Residential · Luxury Villa
01
Luxury Residential — Nairobi, Kenya

Infinity Pool Villa —
Runda, Nairobi

580m²
Floor Area
14mo
Delivery
100%
On Budget

The Brief: A Kenyan family returning from the UK required a luxury 5-bedroom family home with indoor-outdoor living, an infinity pool, and a guest cottage — on a sloped 0.75-acre plot in Runda. The client had previously lost money on a stalled project with an unregistered contractor.

The Challenge: The 4-metre slope across the plot required a split-level structural solution. The client's diaspora status meant all design approvals needed to happen remotely across a 3-hour time difference. The brief also required county approval for pool construction within Nairobi's water-sensitive zone.

The Result: The split-level design transformed the slope from a liability into a feature — the infinity pool cantilevers over the lower level, creating a signature view from the main living area. 3D renders were approved remotely in two rounds. County approval was secured in 11 weeks. The build completed 3 weeks ahead of schedule, fully within budget.
View Full Portfolio →
Commercial development aerial view — Aalis Studios Kenya architecture
Commercial · Mixed-Use
02
Commercial Architecture — Westlands, Nairobi

Mixed-Use Office & Retail —
Westlands, Nairobi

2,400m²
Total GFA
22mo
Delivery
6 floors
Structure

The Brief: A Nairobi property developer required a six-storey mixed-use building in Westlands — ground-floor retail, four floors of Grade-A office space, and rooftop tenant amenities — on a tight corner plot with frontage on two arterial roads.

The Challenge: The corner plot created an irregular structural grid that complicated both the floor plate design and the façade composition. Planning rules required 6-metre setbacks on both road frontages, significantly reducing the buildable footprint. The client's lender also required EDGE green building documentation for preferential financing.

The Result: The irregular grid was resolved through a exposed-concrete core structure that created column-free floor plates — a premium feature that increased leasable value by an estimated 12%. The EDGE certification was achieved, unlocking the developer's green financing at a 1.2% lower interest rate. The project was delivered on time and is now 87% leased.
Commercial Architecture →
Diaspora client home completed in Kenya — Aalis Studios remote project management
Diaspora · Remote Build
03
Diaspora Build — Built Remotely from the USA

3-Bedroom Stone Residence —
Kiambu County, Kenya

210m²
Floor Area
18mo
Delivery
0
Site Visits

The Brief: A Kenyan couple based in Houston, Texas wanted to build their retirement home on family land in Kiambu. They had heard too many stories of diaspora investors losing money to fraud. They had never hired an architect before. They visited Kenya once every two years and had zero ability to supervise construction.

The Challenge: The land had not been formally surveyed. The client needed full land verification, architectural design, 3D visualization for remote approval, BOQ-controlled construction, and monthly reporting — all while the clients remained in the USA throughout the entire build.

The Result: Land was surveyed and verified within 3 weeks. 3D renders were approved in a single video call after one revision. Construction was managed entirely through our remote system — monthly QS valuations, drone footage, and stage payments. The clients flew in for handover, having never visited the construction site. The house looked exactly like the renders. Zero fraud. Zero overruns. Zero stress.
Diaspora Build Guide →
Watch Us Work

See the Architecture.
Hear the Story Behind It.

Numbers and testimonials tell part of the story. Our YouTube channel shows the rest — project walkthroughs, 3D visualization reels, behind-the-scenes construction visits, and design explanations from Arch. Abuya himself. Every video is a masterclass in how great architecture is actually made.

100+
Projects Documented
15+
Years of Design
3D
Photorealistic Renders
47
Counties in Kenya
Visit Our YouTube Channel → View Portfolio Online
Professional Credentials

Registered. Certified. Accountable.

🏛️
BORAQS Registered
Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. All building plans stamped by fully registered architects — legally compliant with Kenyan building regulations and the Architects Act (Cap 525).
Verify Registration ↗
🔨
NCA Certified
National Construction Authority registration for construction management. All contractors we engage are independently vetted through the NCA register — providing full legal accountability for every build.
Verify Registration ↗
🌿
EDGE Certified
Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies — IFC/World Bank green building certification. Passive design, energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduced embodied carbon integrated into every project as standard.
About EDGE ↗
🏆
Lexus Design Award
Grand Prix 2020 — Open Source Communities (in association with BellTower). The first African team to win this international prize. Selected from 2,042 submissions across 79 countries by an international jury from Lexus and WIRED.
About the Award ↗
Client Stories

What Our Clients Say About Us

★★★★★

"Working with Aalis Studios was the best decision we made for our home in Karen. Arch. Abuya has a rare ability to hear what you want, even when you can't fully articulate it, and translate that into a design that feels completely, unmistakably yours. The attention to detail in both the architecture and the interior design was extraordinary."

👩
Residential — Karen, Nairobi
★★★★★

"As a diaspora client in the USA, I was terrified about building in Kenya without being there. Aalis Studios gave me the system I needed — the 3D visualizations, the structured payments, the monthly reports with drone footage. I visited when the house was 90% complete and it looked exactly like the renders. I cried."

👨
Diaspora Client — USA · Building in Kiambu
★★★★★

"We commissioned Aalis Studios for our commercial headquarters in Upperhill. The design exceeded all expectations — a building that projects exactly the gravitas we wanted for our brand, while remaining highly functional for our team. On time. On budget. No surprises. We will not use anyone else."

🏢
Commercial — Upperhill, Nairobi
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Want to Know
About Aalis Studios

Answers to the questions we hear most often — from first-time clients, diaspora investors, commercial developers, and anyone considering working with us for the first time.

Aalis Studios was founded in Nairobi in 2010 by Arch. Vincent Abuya. We have been practising architecture for over 15 years, completing more than 100 projects across all 47 counties in Kenya. We serve residential clients, commercial developers, institutional clients, and diaspora investors in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, UAE, and Germany.
The Lexus Design Award is one of the world's most prestigious design prizes. In 2020, Aalis Studios — in association with Kenyan studio BellTower — won the Grand Prix with Open Source Communities, a proposal for shared-resource urban communities. They were selected from 2,042 entries across 79 countries by an international jury from Lexus, WIRED, and leading global design institutions. Aalis Studios and BellTower became the first African design team to win this prize in the award's history.
Yes. Aalis Studios is fully registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) and with the National Construction Authority (NCA). Our principal architect, Arch. Vincent Abuya, is also EDGE-certified for sustainable design. All building plans are stamped by our BORAQS-registered architects and submitted in full compliance with the Architects Act (Cap 525) and Kenyan county building regulations.
Starting a project is simple. Fill in the consultation form on this page, visit our contact page, WhatsApp us on +254 757 743 454, or email info@aalisstudios.com. In the first 30-minute consultation — completely free of charge — we will discuss your vision, site, timeline, and budget, and give you a clear, itemised fee proposal with no obligation to proceed.
Yes — this is one of our core specialisms. Our dedicated diaspora desk manages builds remotely for clients in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. Our system includes: 3D visualization for remote design approval, monthly quantity surveyor valuations, drone progress updates, stage-based milestone payments, on-site project supervision, and regular video calls with your architect. Read our full guide at aalisstudios.com/diaspora-build-kenya.
Architecture fees typically range from 5–10% of total construction cost for residential projects. Interior design and 3D visualization are scoped and priced separately. We provide transparent, itemised fee proposals — zero hidden costs. We never take contractor kickbacks or material commissions, which is how we maintain the independence to supervise your build honestly. Contact us for a free, no-obligation fee estimate based on your specific project.
A typical residential project timeline in Kenya: concept design (4–6 weeks), working drawings and approvals (8–14 weeks), construction (12–24 months depending on scope). Total timeline from first consultation to handover is typically 18–30 months for a full residential project. Diaspora builds follow the same timeline but add structured remote management systems that run in parallel. We give every client a detailed programme at the start of the project.
Yes. Aalis Studios provides full interior design services — residential, commercial, and hospitality — including space planning, material and finish selection, custom joinery, lighting design, and full fit-out coordination. Our integrated architecture and interiors approach means the building and its interior are designed as one coherent whole, not as separate commissions handed off to different teams. See our interior design services page.
Still Have Questions?
Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation — No Obligation.
Talk directly with our team. We will answer every question you have about your project, give you an honest fee estimate, and explain exactly how we work. No sales pressure.
Book Free Consultation WhatsApp Now
Call or WhatsApp Directly
+254 757 743 454
Mon – Sat · 9:30am – 6:30pm EAT
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info@aalisstudios.com
We respond within 24 hours
Free Consultation

Your Dream Project
Starts With One Conversation.

Tell us about your project. We will get back to you within 24 hours with a clear, honest response — what we can do, how long it will take, and what it will cost. No vague answers. No obligation.

⚡
Response Within 24 HoursEvery enquiry receives a personal, detailed response from our team — not an automated reply.
💰
Free, No-Obligation ConsultationOur initial 30-minute consultation is completely free. We give you honest advice regardless of whether you proceed.
📊
Transparent Fee ProposalEvery consultation ends with a clear, itemised fee estimate — no hidden costs, no vague ranges, no surprises.
🔒
Your Information Is PrivateWe never share your project details with third parties. Your brief, your budget, and your vision are confidential.
🌍
Diaspora Clients WelcomeWe have structured consultation processes for clients in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and UAE — video calls at your timezone.
📞 +254 757 743 454
📧 info@aalisstudios.com
📍 Sun Dial Plaza, Nairobi
Start Your Free Consultation
No obligation · Response within 24 hours · BORAQS-registered architects

🔒 Your details are private and secure. We never share your information. By submitting you agree to be contacted by Aalis Studios regarding your project.

✅
Enquiry Received — Thank You!
Our team will contact you within 24 hours · WhatsApp: +254 757 743 454
📍
Address
1st Floor Sun Dial Plaza, Eastern Bypass Off Thika Road, Nairobi
📧
Email Us
[email protected]
📞
Call Us
+254 757 743 454
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