In the chilly Rironi town, in Limuru, a 25-year-old Kenyan artist has built a unique and cosy mabati mansionette that he calls home. The young man utilized a small space to bring his vision to life, for a total of Sh700,000.
Wilson Ngugi studied electrical and electronic engineering at the National Youth Service before learning some software engineering. He has always been a minimalist, wanting a simpler yet beautiful and sustainable life.
This decision to construct a tiny home was driven by his desire to downsize while still enjoying comfort and functionality. Speaking in an interview, he shared that the only drawback would be his limited storage space. However, he appreciates the simplicity of his little loft.
“I’m into tiny houses and I think it’s being aware of what is happening in the world. We are consuming a lot and disposing so much,” he said.
Wilson Ngugi didn’t follow a strictly curated design plan for his home. Instead, he built it step by step, making adjustments along the way. The construction started on a small space measuring 30 feet by 20 feet within his parent’s compound. They were supportive of his idea.
To keep his costs low, he repurposed materials at his disposal and collected additional supplies from friends and junkyards.
“Actually 80 pc of everything you see in my house is reclaimed and repurposed and it is mostly from friends and family…Initially, I had a budget of Sh500,000, but I ended up using around Sh700,000,” he said.
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Despite the size, the little place he calls home has proven to consistently meet his needs. The house structure is made of mabati and wood, with a strong concrete foundation. He used durable, highly-treated wooden posts to ensure it remained waterproof.
In his view, the biggest hurdle he faced during the construction was scepticism from family and friends who seemed unsure about his idea. Over time, they came to appreciate his vision.
His home has all the necessary amenities, including water and electricity. For now, he taps electricity from his parent’s nearby house while waiting to install a solar system. Water is supplied to the mabati mansionette via a 3,000-litre water tank connected to the community water line.
Wilson has a sustainable system for managing wastewater from his house. He collects it in a tank, filters it and repurposes it to water his small outdoor kitchen garden and indoor plants.
For sanitation, he relies on an indoor compost toilet, which transforms waste matter into nutrient rich-manure. This allows him to grow organic vegetables on his front porch.
