Activity

Students will learn about the unique architectural styles of the Kamba and Kikuyu communities in Kenya and experiment with building paper models of these houses.

Prep work

• [ ] If available, learn about traditional Kenyan house structures with Math Games and Activities from Around the World:
  • Read “Round Houses in Kenya” (pg. 100).
  • Read about cone-cylinder houses (pg. 101–102).
• [ ] Gather materials: construction paper, scissors, tape, a compass or bowl, pencil, crayons, or marker, and glue.

Lesson

• Examine the images of traditional Kikuyu and Kamba homes.
  • Watch: Kikuyu Homes: Then and Now.
  • Read: Traditional Kamba Houses.
• Discuss:
  • Why might round houses be practical?
  • How does a cone-shaped roof help during rain?
  • How do building materials depend on the environment?
• Look at pictures of the Kenya International Conference Centre. What do you notice about its architecture? Have you seen any buildings with a similar design where you live?
• Examine the lines and shapes in your home. Are they mostly straight or curved? Square or round?
• Next, build your own paper cone-cylinder house:
  • Use construction paper to make a cone for the roof and a cylinder for the walls. Cut a large circle for the roof, then cut out a wedge to form the cone. For the walls, roll a rectangular sheet into a cylinder and secure it with tape or glue.
• Experiment with different sizes and shapes to explore structural design.

Learning Extensions

• Creative Arts: Use clay to create a model of a cone-cylinder house, experimenting with different shapes and textures.
• Geography & Culture: Learn more about the Kikuyu community of Kenya and the Kamba community of Kenya.
• Language Arts: Read The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi.