Kimironko Houses 2 | Selim Senin

Located in the Kimironko district of Kigali, Rwanda, Kimironko Houses 2 is a residential masterplan composed of seventeen contemporary villas positioned across a sloping site. Rather than treating the terrain as an obstacle to overcome, the project uses the natural topography as the primary generator of the architectural and urban design strategy.

The site descends in two different directions, creating a complex landscape condition. Instead of leveling the land through extensive excavation and retaining walls, the villas were carefully positioned to follow the existing contours. This approach minimizes earthworks, reduces construction costs, preserves the natural character of the site, and allows architecture and landscape to operate as a single system.

The development consists of three distinct villa typologies distributed throughout the site. While each villa type responds differently to its position, scale, and orientation, all share a common architectural language based on floating horizontal volumes, deep roof overhangs, generous glazing, and strong visual connections with the landscape.

One of the key challenges of the project was ensuring that every villa could benefit from views while maintaining privacy and spatial quality. To achieve this, the villas are arranged in five different rows, with each row positioned at a different elevation. Rather than stacking buildings directly behind one another, the villas are shifted horizontally and vertically across the slope. This arrangement prevents one house from obstructing the view of another and allows each residence to maintain an unobstructed relationship with the surrounding landscape.

The site circulation system was also developed in response to the terrain. Internal streets gradually descend approximately two meters between villa clusters, allowing the development to follow the natural slope of the site. By adapting the infrastructure to the topography, the need for large retaining structures was significantly reduced while creating a more natural and efficient urban environment.

Each residence includes a private garden, swimming pool, outdoor terrace, and direct visual connection to the surrounding landscape. The villas are designed as individual homes while simultaneously forming part of a larger architectural composition that gives identity to the entire development.

The ground floor of each villa accommodates the primary living functions, including open-plan living and dining spaces, kitchens, guest accommodation, and outdoor entertainment areas. The upper level contains the private family bedrooms, positioned to maximize views and daylight. Large glazed façades connect the interior spaces with terraces, gardens, and pools while allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the buildings.

A defining feature of the villas is the double-height living space. This vertical volume introduces openness and spatial drama while reinforcing visual connections between different levels of the house. The double-height areas also strengthen the relationship between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape, allowing residents to experience uninterrupted views from both floors.

Below the main living level, a semi-open lower floor contains parking for two vehicles, a gym, staff accommodation, laundry facilities, storage spaces, and technical rooms. By integrating these functions into the lower portion of the slope, the project maintains clean architectural forms while efficiently utilizing the site's topography.

Through its careful integration with the landscape, Kimironko Houses 2 demonstrates an alternative approach to hillside residential development. Rather than imposing architecture onto the terrain, the project allows the terrain itself to shape the architecture, resulting in a residential community where views, privacy, sustainability, and spatial quality are achieved simultaneously.

Design Company: WALL Corporation | Architecture & Urban Design Studio

About WALL Corporation

WALL Corporation is an international architecture practice headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda. The firm works across a wide range of building typologies including housing, hotels, universities, offices, healthcare facilities, and religious buildings, delivering projects from concept design to construction documentation.