Twenty years ago, the expression ‘fabric architecture’ alluded to an open air tent or an eatery shade. Today, an ever-growing pallet of materials, tremendously improved structural lighting, and graphic technologies have enabled fabric use escape from the canopy to take on new roles. As designers and architects began to offer this method of design, more people started using it in everything from space articulation to art. In fact, in most countries, fabric is presently an architectural staple and designers see it as a way to expand the experience of space. It is no longer a lightweight arrangement but a sensorial experience expending fabric attributes to take architecture to the next level. With so many potential uses, the versatility and functionality of fabric structures, make them the most cost-effective, attractive building solutions for a wide range of industries. This article focuses on fabric architecture as a cost-efficient approach in the hospitality industry real estate.
First, in comparison to steel buildings, the average cost of putting up a fabric structure is 30 percent less than conventional building designs with further cost savings that continue throughout the lifetime of a structure, usually 10 years. Normally, operational costs are drastically reduced by the heating and lighting properties of fabric used. Also, with layers that characteristically repel dirt and contaminates, fabric structures require virtually no exterior maintenance or cleaning. Notably, the smooth rooftop outline, breezy, open interiors, and premium development materials make texture structures impenetrable to infestation or structural degradation caused by birds, rodents, and insects. The conventional steel building is built on site utilizing development techniques like those for any wood-framed, permanent structure. From permits to site excavation and cement foundations, a steel building can take a while to plan and develop before it is prepared to be put into utilization. They are intended for one reason and one location. A number of hospitality service provides have adopted the use of fabric structures in their operations to cater for and provide additional wedding and banquet facilities, conference centers, dining facilities, and creation of aquatic centers. This is in preference to traditional structures which are permanent. With these structures, they aim to create value to clients in the form of experience.
Second, since fabric structures are effectively dismantled and reassembled, they are considered temporary for purposes of taxation. This means that rates imposed on these form of structures are lower and depreciation periods are shorter compared to steel buildings. Numerous fabric structures qualify for certain energy efficient tax deductions. Unlike steel buildings, fabric structures hold their value, and if the operational needs ever change, the structure can be easily modified, expanded, or moved.
Also, steel has heat-conductive properties, which implies that the atmosphere inside a steel building swelters in hot climate or freezes in cold seasons. Since fabric transmits less warmth, interiors remain cooler without forced air circulation. Ventilation happens normally and 
can be boosted by utilizing roll-away doorways or optional ventilating systems. In the event that cooling or heating is required in periods of harsh climate, the air-tight property of the fabric film keeps the temperature-controlled air inside so heating and cooling costs remain down.
Third, environmentally friendly, pre-designed tensioned fabric structures can be raised on about any terrain with little to no site arrangement prerequisites. With these structures, building does not need unearthing or leveling, and the requirement for concrete footings and foundation is eliminated. This favorable position spares a huge amount in pre-development costs and weeks of general development time. For hoteliers and proprietors who wish to explore raised grounds in forested terrains, fabric used can be designed to shapes and sizes that fit into these spaces without modification.
As a result of the one of the unique modular design, organized fabric structures can be sent from the inventory site to the activity site and be ready for use in only a couple of weeks. The structures are upheld with highly engineered aluminum arched framing to provide column free interiors with widths and heights of up to 156′ and 54′ respectively. This is sufficiently tough to support heavy equipment for tasks ranging from storage, and remediation to high-traffic events that may need suspended equipment.
Fabric membranes are UV safe and can be altered in numerous visually appealing hues and designs. However, unlike customary building 
materials, routine upkeep, siding, or painting isn’t needed to keep it looking good year after year and in the event that repairs are required, they can be done quickly in a manner that does not imperil the structural integrity or interfere with daily operations.
When compared with glass, wood or metal, retractable fabric systems have the ability to fold, span large spaces efficiently. Given the business nature of hotels, resorts and other hospitality ventures, spaces for large events are needed to maximize under-utilized spaces such as roof tops and courtyards.
While such sites cannot be built into permanent spaces, they can add more revenue generating spaces with retractable roof. Traditionally, hoteliers would be renting tents for clients. With a retractable system, it is much better as changes can be made with little effort as climate changes.
The advantages of fabric structures are diverse. Fabric architecture proprietors are of the opinion that while there is a lot more research being carried out on the use of fabric in construction, its properties make it highly adaptable. From their luminous nature to heating components, coupled with a constantly advancing technology, there is a lot more to be derived. The hospitality sector can therefore benefit from this incorporation as a client and event oriented market segment.
KENYA REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
ERC Solar crackdown increases fraud cases
Property owners risk a Ksh 1 million fine or one year in jail after the ERC started vetting buildings to check for compliance with solar 
heating rules. According to the commission’s director general, the commission is currently carrying out surveillance visits on building under construction and random spot checks in existing premises. Apart from the fine, the commission prohibits Kenya Power from connecting electricity to property owners who fail to install solar panels.
However, since the September 25 deadline last year, there have been increased cases of fraud as con men impersonate ERC officials and defraud property and business owners over bribe claims.
The commission has advised the public to request to see official badges issued by the commission.
Affordable housing expected to correct rental prices in Nairobi
Kenya is set to launch low cost housing initiative that aims to build 30000 houses in Nairobi, which is estimated to have a deficit of 1.8 
million units. The project aims to put up 5000 in Nairobi’s Shauri Moyo, 20000 in Makongeni, 3000 in Starehe, and 2000 in Park Road estate.
The completion of this project is expected to cut rents in the middle and lower-end estates as well as cause a massive price correction in the mud-level housing market.
Construction in Shauri Moyo, Makongeni, and Starehe is expected to commence in six months while that in Park Road is expected to break ground in three months.
The efficient use of public land is expected to play a big role in shifting housing prices as participating private developers will be afforded 7000 acres of land for construction.
New passed legislation, NIFA 2017, creates worry over enabled illicit activity in real estate Kenya
A recently passed law, the Nairobi International Financial Act 2017 has received criticism by analysts on claim that it could make it easier 
for companies to dodge tax in Kenya thus causing an increase in the rate of illicit financial flows, contrary to the government’s goals, and undermine economic growth and development. The law, which aims to facilitate and support the development of an efficient and globally competitive financial services sector in Kenya sets up the Nairobi International Financial Center Authority to establish and maintain an efficient operating framework in order to attract and retain firms. This came as amid warnings that despite the implementation of NIFCA, Kenya could become a tax haven. Earlier this year, Kenya was listed first in Africa and 27th in the world on financial secrecy index by the Tax Justice Network Africa.
Analysts further add that due to the nature of financial secrecy, individuals and corporate entities could escape or undermine the law, with proceeds being laundered back into the economy through the property market as one of the highest yielding sectors in the country.
GLOBAL REAL ESTATE TRENDS
Turkey property firms slash prices to revive the property market
Real estate firms in Turkey have slashed down house prices by 20 percent discounts and reducing down payments to 5 percent. This is part of a month long drive to revive the sagging property market in the country. The drive, which includes 40 firms and the government is expected to address the decline in house sales even as a snap presidential and parliamentary elections near, June 24.
The initiative will run up to June 24 and is expected to generate US$ 678 million worth of sales. Currently, Turkey has around two million unsold houses with a backlog worth three times the annual new housing sales recording 14 percent drop in house sales and a 35 percent drop in mortgage sales.
This reflects on political uncertainty as a risk in Real Estate. Kenya reported similar declines in sales and investments in the property market last year as August 2017 elections neared.
Virtual Reality system, CANVAS, unveiled for the first time in North America
Various companies in North America including a studio company and real estate companies have collaborated to unveil the first CANVAS 
virtual reality system in Canada and the United States for real estate buyers. The CANVAS platform, supports deeply engaging experiential technology that offers a spectacular virtual experience to future residential property buyers. Through the interactive multimedia system, buyers can move freely in space and interact in their environment as though they were really there by the use of a tablet button.
This platform does not require special goggles or a helmet to have the experience. The 3D environments are presented in actual size on a 5 to 13 meter long giant screen while the client draws the full effect of a virtually reality tour by visiting all the rooms of his or her future home and visualizing different finishing options such as kitchens, flooring, furniture, and bathrooms as per their tastes. A visitor can discover the house’s common areas, have exchanges in the lobby, and see themselves in the mirrors. The level of unique dynamism and realism allows for personalized visits.
The CANVAS system is currently used in Montreal, Vancouver, New York, and Miami. In Kenya, Virtual Reality is being incorporated in construction activities. Pioneering this includes the Pinnacle construction where AR devices are used on site to see digital model overlaid onto the physical site. One can walk around and identify issues in the environment
THIS WEEK IN KENYA REAL ESTATE
This week’s market research focusses is on the sales prices for 4 and 5 bedroomed newly built houses in Nairobi’s Muthaiga North and Ridgeways estates. Statistics in the tables below were derived from listings by property firms in Kenya, and analysis was conducted to provide an insight into the varying prices for investors looking to purchase either of the two house sizes within the areas.
4- Bedroomed houses
5-Bedroomed houses
KENYA INTEREST RATE MARKET WATCH
This week, the treasury bills were well subscribed at 183.1% up from 165.65% last week. The 91 –Day, 182-Day and 364 –Day bills yielded 7.95%, 10.251%, and 11.127% rates respectively with the 364- Day bills outperforming the 92 and 182 day bills at 327.78% down from last week’s 198.43%
Out of the offered treasury bills, the total accepted bids were 30610640 million.
KENYA’S EQUITY MARKET WATCH
Total shares traded in the week decreased by 10 percent last week’s 18409000. The NASI recorded 1.42 percent increase while the 20 and the 25 Share Index recorded 3 and 0.05 percent decreases.
Market capitalization increased by 1.4 percent up from a 1.4635 percent decline recorded last week/ I-REIT turnover recorded a 99 percent drop from 3.5 million to 35125.
MARKET ANAYLSIS SUMMARY
Last week, Trans-Century Ltd dominated the gainers’ chart at 8.89 percent followed by Crown Paints Ltd at 9.38 percent gain, E.A Portland Cement at 9.09, and Mumias Sugar Company at 6.67 percent.
The top three losers of the week were Flame Tree Group Holdings, ARM Cement, and Express Kenya closing at Ksh 3.25, 4.5, and 4.6 share price.
CURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS
This week, the shilling strengthened against the European currencies trading at 0.1 percent increases against the Euro and 0.01 percent against the Sterling Pound. It further strengthened against the Asian currencies closing at 0.3 and 6 percent against the Chinese Yuan and the Indian Rupee respectively.
In the East African region, the shilling’s performance stagnated closing at UGX 36.9 and TZSH 22.6 respectively for one Kenyan shilling.
This report is written by Buildafrique Consulting Group; a Kenya Real Estate Consultant and Development Solutions provider that offers End-to-End Financial, Development Management, and Investments Solutions in Real Estate, to allow Developer, Investors, and prospective Home Owners manage risks and realize value for their investments in a fast-evolving Real Estate market.
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