Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

KAIST is a research–centred postgraduate university located on a 16.5-acre plot in Konza Technopolis, the Silicon Savannah city of Kenya. The project involved the construction of eight structures and all the civil works. The initial geotechnical data used in the design indicated a ground with remarkably low bearing capacity, which demanded the use of pile foundations, which were costly. However, as construction commenced, it became evident that the layers of soft soil strata varied across the site, and some regions had substantial bearing capacity. MultiScope conducted a comprehensive geotechnical investigation survey throughout the entire footprint of the building structure. The result was the transformation from pile foundations to a blend of pad footings and raft foundation, which proved to be cost-effective as well as simpler to construct. At KAIST, storm water runoff is elevated to an art form of sustainability as all runoff is elevated to an art form of sustainability as all runoff is captured and stored in the underground tanks to be used for irrigation of the grounds and landscaping.