K.B.R.C

The Kenyan Building Research Centre was the established in the 1960s. Then it was known as Kenya Building Center. It was renamed Kenya Building Research Center in 1981. The setting up of the Center is part of the initiative by the Government to facilitate development, production and wide spread use of indigenous building materials and technologies.

The main aims and objectives of the center is to Reduce Building Construction Costs by facilitating consistent and large scale availability of cost effective building materials and components, alternate and economical substitutes for costly conventional materials. The other objective is to promote only energy efficient and environment friendly technologies.

Objectives
The main objectives of the KBRC are:

* To Identify potential sources of Innovative building Materials countrywide.
* Access funds for building research and development
* To build capacity at KBRC
* To develop and rehabilitate collapsed physical infrastructure (KBRC) to enhance service delivery
* Promote proven Innovative building materials for wider usage to lower pressure on traditional construction materials
* Provide up to date Information to all stakeholders
* Streamline the standards of the building Industry and compliance

Core Functions

* Facilitate of research and development activities within the building industry
* To document and disseminate information in building technologies.
* To promote the use of available building technology to the stakeholders in the building and construction industry and the general public.
* Maintain information date base in the building industry.

Activities
Building materials are a major input into the building process, usually taking up 50% or more of the input. It is with this in mind that KBRC aims at reduction of cost by facilitating sustainable availability. This is done through a number of activities including the following

Research:

The Center collaborates with Universities to carry out research on various subjects touching on buildings, building materials and sustainable use of energy. ‘Report on Availability of Building Materials, Components  and their use in Kenya’ research was done by  Department of Architecture and Building science, University of Nairobi in conjunction with KBRC. 

Local Materials Development:

KBRC identifies and documents materials and technologies that have been proven regionally and internationally for innovation to suit specific local situations.

Promotion of Local Materials: In order for innovative materials to find wide acceptance and use, KBRC facilitates promotion of new materials and technologies through awareness creation, which include seminars, maintenance of data centre, technical library and exhibition facilities.

Data Center: The Data Center is in progress and will include crucial data on proven building materials and technologies for the benefit of the building industry in general. The information will be on building materials, construction technologies, building manufacturers, professionals in building related fields among others. In future the Data Centre will be networked with similar institutions regionally.

Technical Library:

KBRC has specialised “Technical” Library devoted to the collection, organisations, and dissemination of information on physical planning, engineering, architecture for the service of architects, engineers, surveyors and manufacturers of building materials and components. Membership is open to both members of the public and the private sector.    

Exhibition and Showroom:

Construction is on-going for an exhibition hall for indoor and out door exhibition. When complete the modern exhibition centre will exhibit building materials and technologies and avail relevant information to the public.

Graphic Design Section:

This section designs a wide variety of documentation aimed at creating awareness and promotion of use of local materials and technologies. This includes booklets, brochures, models etc. This section also undertakes limited, professional work to other Government departments.

Printing Section:

The printing section produces a wide range of booklets, brochures, leaflets and various kinds of stationery. All these are aimed at awareness creation. Some of the documents produced at our printing studios are:

* Building Code - revised from Imperial to Metric version
* Technical Instructions for electrical Works
* General specification for Building Works
* Drawing Manual – A guide to the Production and management of Drawings
* Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Existing Building By-Laws and Regulations
* Conditions of Engagement and Scales of Fees for Professional Services for Building and Civil  Engineering Works

Kenya Building Research Center is headed by Architect, Wanjau and is situated in Transcom

For more information contact

The Director Kenya Building Research Centre

Ngong Road

P.O BOX 62176 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 2723101  Extension: 63220
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