Introduction

The Government’s Affordable Housing agenda identified four priority initiatives to be implemented. The State Department for Public Works is a critical enabler in delivering Affordable Housing in major urban areas across the country. Research on innovative and sustainable building materials is essential to providing affordable housing. In Executive Order Number 1 of 2022, the State Department for Public Works through Kenya Building Research Centre (KBRC) is mandated to provide building research services and promote the utilization of innovative building materials and technologies in the country.

Shortages of affordable and decent housing contribute to the following, which KBRC aims to address through dissemination:
High cost of building and construction.
Lack of Information on alternative and innovative building materials and technologies.
Negative perception of innovative building systems and processes.
Lack of access to appropriate building materials.
Poor Housing amenities.
A foreign exchange loss on the importation of building materials.
Unemployment.
Climate Change.

To address these challenges, KBRC conducts research to identify potential sources of innovative building materials and technologies in the country. The research findings are compiled in various reports, catalogs, and sample materials available for documentation and dissemination. Kenya Building Research Centre’s strategy for dissemination includes presentations and exhibitions in sector-specific events such as seminars, workshops, conferences, shows, and trade fairs. The center has permanent exhibition facilities at the headquarters and is also on display through its website.

The primary purpose of the exhibitions is to showcase and demonstrate emerging products, services, study activities and examine recent trends and opportunities in the building and construction sector. The show is open to the general public but more specifically to professionals and contractors in the construction industry and students undertaking courses in building and technology. The exhibitions aim to attract building research interests further and inspire the public with a wide range of housing solutions.

Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB)
Expanded Polystyrene Systems (EPS)
Plastic Roofing Technologies
Stabilised Concrete Interlocking Blocks
Prefabricated Concrete Panels
Prefabricated Concrete Building Components and Fixture
Light Gauge Steel Technologies
Bamboo
Eco and Natural Paints
Ceilings
Coral Stone / Coral Dust
Slates
Lime Stone / Terrazzo
Burnt Clay Bricks (Industrial and Jua Kali)
Rice Husk Board
Agricultural Waste Building Technologies
Steel Nails (Fasteners)
Resin Flooring Technology
Cement / Cement by-products
Selected Building Tools made as per SME (JUAKALI) Production Manual 2019
Plastic Doors and Windows

Exhibition objectives

Identify emerging innovations and technologies in building and construction sector in the country.
Showcase emerging innovations and technologies in building and construction.
Promote locally available building materials and other resources.
Document information on building technology.
Enhance collaboration with stakeholders in the building industry.
Encourage sustainable building practices.

Manufacturing industries

Manufacturing Industries producing innovative building materials and components will be approached to submit sample materials and information documents for display, viewing and sharing. Presentations will be allowed on selected technologies in organized seminars.

Small and medium enterprises

Small and medium enterprises producing innovative building materials, components, as well as machinery, tool, and equipment used in construction will be approached to submit sample materials and information documents for display, viewing and sharing. Where need is raised the samples will be procured for long term display. SME special display unit will be established to support local content.

Methods applied

Identification of emerging innovative building and construction materials and technologies in the country.
Classification of emerging innovative building and construction materials and technologies.
Inviting interested companies, organizations and individuals to participate in the exhibitions.
KBRC sourcing staff selected innovative building and construction materials and technologies from identified:
Manufacturing Industries
Small and Medium Enterprises
Government MDAs
and sharing. Presentations will be allowed on selected technologies in organized seminars.

Material producers

Local producers of innovative building materials and components (Quarries, Foundries, and workshops) will be approached to submit sample materials. Information documents will be developed in KBRC for display, viewing and sharing.

Government MDAs

Government ministries, departments and authorities involved in innovative technologies will be approached to display their innovations and information on relevant policies in the building sector.