Our studio

Founded in 2018, based in Mombasa

Studio 1:1 is a design and build practice rooted in the architectural heritage of the Swahili coast.

The studio was established with a clear intention: to preserve and reinterpret the rich language of Swahili architecture in a contemporary context, while maintaining its authenticity and cultural depth.

Led by a team of architects and a quantity surveyor originally from Lamu and Mombasa, the practice draws from the region's rich traditions of craftsmanship, climate-responsive design, and spatial simplicity.

On site, three members of the studio review construction drawings together beside a wall going up.

Why 1:1

We work closely with our clients to create spaces that respond to their lives, surrounding context, and climate.

A direct relationship between the architect and the client.
Between space and the human scale.
Between design and reality.

Design + Build

Architecture books and reading glasses beside hand-drawn structural sketches and a drawing pen on the studio desk.

Design / Architecture

Lean, minimalist design dedicated to advancing and reinterpreting Swahili architecture, fusing modern design technology with traditional craftsmanship and indigenous construction knowledge.

An intimate collective of six architects, working collaboratively, thoughtful, curious, and precise, from concept to completion.

Build / Construction

Construction is driven by skilled local craftsmen and a hands-on building process. Traditional techniques, fine detailing, and locally sourced materials ensure authenticity and durability, translating design intent into timeless architecture on site.

A craftsman shaping a circular carved plaster medallion on a pink-toned wall.

A craftsman in a workshop hand-carving a geometric pattern into a timber panel.

Principles

We believe architecture is culture made visible.: Our work is rooted in Swahili architectural heritage, shaped by an intuitive understanding of space, material, and the rhythms of the coastal climate.
We honor material and craft.: We work with local and natural materials chosen for durability, tactility, and relevance to place. Texture, weight, and imperfection are embraced as part of a building's story.
Clarity and care.: From concept to construction, our process is transparent and collaborative. Our deliverables are precise, buildable, and clearly communicate design intent.
We design and build responsibly.: Sustainability is led by passive design: natural ventilation, shade, thermal mass. Local materials are selected for performance, longevity, and connection to place.