Wangari Muta Maathai was the first African woman and first environmentalist to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. To commemorate her life, Wangari Muta Maathai House was envisioned as a forum for experiential learning, a place of conservation and peace, and final home for her ashes. Imagined as a living, breathing, growing memorial, an intimate organic three-dimensional space perfectly perched in its natural environment was created. The circular form is symbolic of the primary cycle of nature.

This simple yet spectacular structural ring nestles into the landscape on one side, floating around and above an ethereal forest on the other.

The encircled courtyard is the focus, establishing a constant connection with the trees and creating a sanctuary for reflection and renewal. A timber-decked walkway leads you across a circular lake under the floating ring into the centre of the forest. This was done to promote walking and talking while paying homage to Wangari’s legacy of her childhood sense of wonder combined with the ethics of taking action. Home to a conference centre, coffee shop, library, exhibition space, mausoleum and amphitheatre, Wangari Muta Maathai House celebrates her legendary life in a befitting manner.