South African architectural practice Boogertman + Partners, together with internationally renowned Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, has been appointed for the expansion and modernisation of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) campus in Nairobi.
The development was officially launched last week by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto, marking what the UN described as a major investment in its African headquarters.
The project will modernise and expand the conference facilities at the Gigiri campus, enabling the complex to host more than 9 000 delegates and visitors during major international gatherings. Planned additions include a new general assembly hall, multiple conference venues, a media centre and public-facing facilities.
Speaking during the launch, Guterres highlighted Nairobi’s growing strategic importance within the global UN system, saying the expansion reflects “Africa’s growing global role”.
The United Nations has also described the project as an opportunity to create “an exemplar of environmental sustainability and building performance”, with the development targeting net-zero energy performance and incorporating passive design strategies, local materials and climate-responsive architecture.
The design contract was awarded is 2023. UNON Director-General Zainab Bangura thanked Boogertman + Partners and Herzog & de Meuron “for turning this vision into a reality” during her address at the televised event.
For Boogertman + Partners, the appointment reinforces the firm’s longstanding presence in East Africa and its involvement in several landmark Kenyan developments. The practice has become increasingly recognised for combining large-scale contemporary architecture with environmentally responsive design approaches suited to African conditions.
Construction on the estimated USD340-million expansion has an expected completion date for 2030.