A Kenyan student in the UK has won a $50,000 (Ksh. 6.9 million) grant to build a music studio and nightclub from decommissioned shipping containers in Nairobi.
Jesse Mugambi, who is studying for a master’s degree in sustainable design at Brighton university, won the international competition which supports nightlife projects.
Jesse beat 300 contestants from 50 countries to be named joint winner of the ‘Save The Night’ competition run by spirit company Jagermeister.
He will split the $109,000 (Ksh. 15million) prize fund with a fellow winner from Northern Ireland to get $50,000 (Ksh. 6.9 million).
Jesse’s project, named Studio Can-V, developed during his time as an undergraduate and now a master’s student at the University of Brighton, will create a versatile space that transitions from studio for young DJs to a club during the night.
The mobile sound studio will be built by local artisans in Nairobi, Kenya, where Jesse is from, using repurposed shipping containers.
The containers will come from Mombasa port and the building will also be made using renewable materials, such as steel tubes for structural support.
These, along with aluminium panels for the doors, will come from suppliers in Nairobi.
Studio Can-V is envisioned as a versatile space that seamlessly transitions from a daytime hub for young DJs to a vibrant nightclub, promoting a sense of community and creativity among Nairobi’s youth.
By utilizing decommissioned shipping containers and local designs, Mugambi aims to foster a sense of pride and cultural identity, while also highlighting the importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness in architectural design.