The Red Pepper House

Located on the island of Lamu towards the north end of the town, the plot is immersed in 
vegetation and bordered by the beach on its southeast slopes. The forest, consisting mainly of 
mangroves, provides very few open spaces in between and hosts an abundance of chirping 
birds. These natural features enable the development of a building whose design creates a 
harmonious dialogue with its surroundings. Without being completely isolated from the local 
population, its location provides a space where privacy is safeguarded by the natural 
surroundings.

• DESIGN SOLUTION: design process, thematic solutions
The challenge is to give response to very specific requests not specifically related to the local 
tradition and to do it using the local construction systems, workmanship, and sense of space, 
looking towards the future yet having one leg grounded in the past.
Gaining knowledge from local Lamu construction, the project will be approached in a similar 
way and, paying great respect to the surrounding environment.