AAK — Promoting excellence in the built environment

The Architectural Association of Kenya · Est. 1967

Promoting excellence in the built environment.

The umbrella professional body for Kenya’s built and natural environment, uniting eight chapters: Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Town Planners, Engineers, Landscape Architects, Environmental Design Consultants, Construction Project Managers and Interior Designers.

The Swiss Chancery in Nairobi: a rust-red building with deep-set windows above a sloping lawn

Swiss Chancery, Nairobi · DMJ Architects

Next up · 10 OctoberAAK Sports & Wellness Day

Member registerAs of 28 Sept 2026

  • 5,513Registered members

  • 5,503Active members

  • 5,296Individual members

  • 217Corporate members

Origin01

Uniting experts across the built and natural environment.

AAK is established
1967AAK is established
Professional chapters
8Professional chapters
Regional branches
3Regional branches
Years of excellence
59Years of excellence
In the spotlight · Awards of Excellence

AAK – Basco DuraCoat Awards of Excellence in Architecture

Hosted by the Architects Chapter, the Awards of Excellence recognise outstanding architectural achievement across Kenya and East Africa. The 2026 cycle covers projects completed between 2020 and 2025 across nine categories, from Best Residential and Commercial to Best Student Project.

The categoriesProjects completed 2020–2025
Biennale03
Exhibitors and AAK members at the Nairobi Biennale of Architecture & Art 2026

7–12 September 2026 · Nairobi

Nairobi Biennale of Architecture & Art

Theme

Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience

Venue

ASK Nairobi Showground, Jamhuri Park

Edition

Nairobi’s first Architecture Biennale

Exhibitions, conversations and public programming exploring Africa’s built environment.

We shape the places where life happens, across every discipline of the built environment.

Working alongside

The archive06

Work, events and award-winning projects.

A rolling record of what members are building, the sites we visit and the projects recognised at the Awards of Excellence.

Full albums from past events, from site visits and workshops to Grow A Classroom schools.

See the full media archive

Feature firm · ShowcaseMember firm

Founded by Robert Marshall in 1965, DMJ Architects is a Nairobi based firm renowned for exceptional design in sensitive environment landscapes such as the Serengeti National Park and the Kenyan Coast.

DMJ Architects receiving a plaque of recognition from AAK at the DMJ office
Receiving AAK’s plaque of recognition
  • Galleria Gardens

    Galleria Gardens

    Large Scale Residential · Successfully Completed

  • Swiss Chancery Nairobi

    Swiss Chancery Nairobi

    Architects Chapter · Award of Excellence

  • Buffalo Mall

    Buffalo Mall

    Naivasha, Kenya · Commercial Development

Your AAK08

Practise with the standing of a recognised professional body.

01

Become a member

Join the chapter that matches your discipline and access CPD, advocacy and professional networks.

Start application
02

Validate a certificate

Confirm that a practitioner's AAK membership certificate is genuine and current.

Check a certificate
03

Find a professional

Search the member directory for architects, surveyors, planners and engineers near you.

Open the directory

Find your fit

Which chapter, and which membership?

1. Your discipline
2. Where you are in your career

Pick your discipline and career stage.

We’ll show the chapter to join and the fees for your membership category.