AIA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- BENSON SANDE NDETA / DIRECTOR
Benson holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology; is a member of Architectural Association of Kenya - Architects and Construction Project Management Chapters; a registered architect with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors; and a member of the Institute of Data Processing Management - London. He has sat on the Board of the Commonwealth Association of Architects Validation Team that monitors university curriculum for commonwealth accreditation.
Benson has extensive experience in architecture and interior design with successful stints at Ambience Interior Designs, Emms Architects and Design Arch-International prior to forming AIA. His track record includes projects in Hospitality, Executive Offices, Luxury Apartments, Commercial Office Blocks, Business Parks, Churches, Educational Institutions, Private Residences, Port Facilities and a Shopping Mall.
It is however, the formidable link between architecture and enterprise that makes Benson stand apart from his peers. Benson is a serial entrepreneur and founder of several companies where he is Chairman including Savannah Cement, Tron Logistics, Tran-Africa Power. This unique positioning of companies in interlinked sectors - design and build consultancy, building materials factory and a power plant allows for leveraging and value addition within the group.
He enjoys conceptualizing, designing and executing the formation of ideas from scratch, into complex and profitable entities. Away from business, Benson sits on the board of SOS Children's Village overseeing the 5 Villages in Kenya providing childcare to over thousand children as well as catering for the educational needs of over 15,000 children to ensure that they have a chance at life. Benson is into photography; loves music; he is an avid lawn tennis player and golfer with a passion for rock climbing. He attributes many subliminal lessons he has learned in life to these outdoors activities.
Away from the office, Douglas is an amateur photographer and loves sports. He is one of the founding members of Wazalendo Hockey Club that plays in the National Premier League and Chair of the trustee. This platform provides Douglas with a forum for engaging with young people from the Academy with a view of mentoring them to strive for excellence.
Isaac has over 20 years of architecture related professional experience in both the private and public sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Nairobi; is a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya Architects and Project Management Chapters; and a registered architect with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. He is the Chief Executive Officer and oversees architectural and project management assignments at AIA. Isaac has an impressive design and management track record in myriad sectors including Service Stations, Office Blocks, Research Institutions, Showrooms, Hospitality, Medical Facilities, Private Residences, Large Scale Housing Schemes, Religious Centres, Recreational Facilities, Airport Passenger Terminals, Business Parks and Factories. Before joining AIA, Isaac worked at several firms. His formative years were at Dagliesh Martiall Johnson where he sharpened his technical drawing and project planning skills. He then moved to Triad Architects where he horned his project management skills. Thereafter, Isaac joined Symbion International and rose to make associate partner.
Isaac is reliable and straightforward. He enjoys playing golf and has a passion for hospitality architecture and architecture for leisure.
Munyanya holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Nairobi; is a member of Architectural Association of Kenya - Architects and Construction Project Management Chapters respectively; a registered architect with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors; and a member of the Project Management Institute.
He has served in various positions including President of the East Africa Institute of Architects, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Architectural Association of Kenya, Treasurer of the Africa Union of Architects and East Africa Institute of Architects. He continues to serve as a Vice-Chair of the Kenya Arab Friendship Society; Vice-President of the Federation of Arab African and Arab Consultants; Council Member of the International Union of Architects; member of the Hotels and Restaurants Classification Committer of Kenya; and he represents Kenya in the East Africa Classification Committee of hotels, restaurants and tourism facilities.
Before joining AIA, Munyanya gathered enviable experience working at several firms including Adventis Limited, Symbion International, Plence International and Conte Designs. He has also been assistant lecturer at the Kenya Polytechnic now Technical University of Kenya - department of building and civil engineering.
He oversees architectural design and project management assignments at AIA and has an impressive design, project management and interior design track record in several sectors including Private Residences and Residential Buildings, Shopping and Office Complexes, Hotels and Lodges, Service Stations, Medical Facilities and Educational Institutions.
Munyanya has a keen on details, quality and a team player. He draws design inspiration from research, case studies and experience. Away from work, he enjoys watching sports - football and rugby and exercising at the gym
Noel holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Nairobi and is a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya - Architects Chapters. He briefly interned at Tecta Consultants in his third year of study and thereafter joined AIA Architects as an intern while in fourth year. The firm retained him after graduation. Both experiences afforded Noel with good experience on client interaction and overseeing projects. As the Nominal Technical Director in studio, Noel undertakes design and oversees quality control and delivery on studio projects. These experiences continue to sharpen his project management skills and client relations. His track record includes Commercial Building projects, Hospitality and Residential Units.
Noel is information driven and draws inspiration from pictorial compositions. Away from work, he loves to read and blogs on topical issues, movie reviews, philosophy of religion and posts photos of his travels.
Osman holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Nairobi; is a member of Architectural Association of Kenya Architects and Project Management Chapters; and registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. At AIA, Osman undertakes design and project management.
Prior to joining AIA, he worked at Otieno and Kung'u Associates and Emms Architect. He started off as a graduate architect and quickly rose to make junior director before leaving to form AIA. He has a wealth of experience in various sectors including Processing Plants, Recording Studios, Hospitality, Office Complexes, Research Laboratories, Cultural Centres with Exhibition, Seminar Hall and Library, Churches and Residential Units. Osman is passionate about solving the housing problem by providing the perfect housing solution for low income earners in view of budget and space challenges. Away from work, Osman enjoys golf and music - he plays the guitar and saxophone.