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If you move around the City of Kigali, you will notice a high level of uniformity in buildings, whether residential or commercial. They all seem to be cut out of the same material.

High-raised roofs, similar design with just a difference in colour, define most buildings in the sprawling suburbs of Kigali.

This is what designer Johnson Bigwi set out to change some years ago when he decided to relocate from Kenya, where he studied and practiced, to come and make a difference in his motherland by putting his skills to use.

In 2013, Bigwi graduated in architecture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, Kenya but initially he had planned to study medicine, since he studied biology and chemistry in secondary school.

Some of the designer’s projects

"I had always thought that I would become a doctor. Back in the day, parents were pushing their children to study medicine so that they can have a doctor in the family.

"But while I was in Kenya, I met a guy who was an architect and he became my friend. He was called Denis. We started to hang out and one day I went to his house and I saw an architectural model, a physical model of a house,” Bigwi recalls.

Bigwi was surprised and mesmerised at the marvel the model was and that is when he made up his mind that he wanted to study architecture and design instead of medicine.

 Upon finishing his studies, Bigwi joined his friend, who also worked with several other architects and designers, who sort of mentored him since they were more experienced.

When he started working with the team of 12, he realised that he was not fully exploiting the profession, and he started to think about what he could bring to the table.

"As I continued to work with them, I started to realise that whenever we were working on something, it looked a bit more ordinary or it looked similar to the other project.

"I didn’t feel motivated. I felt like creativity or innovation was something that they are not giving time. They were not interested in seeking uniqueness,” Bigwi says.

Bored by the style of work, he started to look around and interest himself in how other designers in other parts of the world were doing their work.

"In 2014, I decided to start my own practice, but it was an interior design practice. I was really good in interior design,” he recalls, adding that he felt that is where his niche was.

It is also around this time that he felt the need to come back home and contribute to his country’s development.

"I started to feel that I’m not wisely investing my time. I started to see that my talent maybe will be appreciated much more at home—it may even contribute positively to the lives back home, more than it was doing the other side, so I came back,” he says.

In Rwanda, he met two young men who were both engineers and they joined forces to work on their first project, which was dubbed, ‘Project Kacyiru’.

He was the designer and the engineers implemented the building of the structure, their skills complementing each other in the process. As they continued to work together, more projects came in.

However, as they continued to work together, they realised that it could be easier to instead set up a company, rather than each of them working independently, which is how Futuristic Design Group (FDG) was born.

If you follow Bigwi on Facebook or Twitter, you have probably seen the unique modern designs he showcases, particularly of residential houses and apartments, which are different from the common high-raised roof style seen in Kigali.

He says the designs are inspired by nature and the environment, with each project having its unique features, based on the topography of the site.

"I get my inspiration mostly from the environment. When I talk about the environment, I’m talking about nature. I like to create designs that respond to nature.

"I consider a good design a responsive design. That way, if I find that an environment has hills or forests, I’m not going to challenge it. In fact, I’m going to enhance it,” the 35-year-old designer says.

He says that Rwanda for example, is a country with hills and when most people want to build, they just cut the slope to a flat surface in order to build, but that is not his way of thinking.

"I always see nature coming first. So, nature inspires the design then the brief of the client comes next. Whatever we do doesn’t contradict nature.

"Whatever we are thinking comes in harmony with nature. That’s what inspires me most,” Bigwi says.

His market are people who are broad minded and can appreciate diversity, mainly people who have travelled, are exposed and have seen uniqueness in designs. Majority of their clients are people who want a difference and want to move away from common designs.

"When you are working with these kinds of people you don’t struggle because they already know what they want,” he says.

 Changing mindsets

Bigwi says many Rwandans are now becoming more open to change and want to explore into new designs.

"I remember back in 2015 there was this aggressive movement of high-pitched roofs, but nowadays people have started to realise that when they make their roofs very high, they become a hindrance to their neighbours by obstructing their view, while others have figured out that high-pitched roofs push the cost of building up since they have to cut iron sheets.”

Bigwi also says that many Rwandans and foreigners have figured out that their designs are cost-effective since iron sheets don’t have to be visible. In this case, strong, ordinary iron sheets are used and you don’t have to cut them.

"People have started to embrace our ideas. Who would want to go for an expensive project when they can do it in a way that is unique and probably much more affordable than the common one?” he says.

Bigwi believes that since Rwanda is a fast-developing country, with many people continuing to embrace modern designs, the country will stand out from other East African countries in terms of unique houses.

Inspiring others, seeking solutions

As someone who has benefited from the knowledge and skills of other people he worked with, in 10 years’ time, Bigwi wants to nurture a cohort of architects and designers who will contribute towards transforming Rwanda’s architectural landscape. 

He currently leads a team of 35 young and vibrant construction enthusiasts, who are contributing to FDG’s cause. They are currently offering internship programmes to young ones pursuing construction, engineering and design and also employ many others.

"In 10 years, I want to be an inspiration to others,” Bigwi says, adding that their overarching mission is to help contribute to the country’s quest for affordable housing.

"As I said design is all about finding solutions. It’s our responsibility. We cannot run away from it.

"We have taken a few samples of some projects, and trying to see how we can reduce the cost of construction, definitely making the houses much more affordable.

"We have tried and we are still looking into ways that we can create the solutions. Very soon we are going to be showcasing some typologies that can be affordable,” he says, emphasising their commitment to address the challenge of affordable housing in Rwanda.

Bigwi says his role model is Frank Lloyd Wright, commonly known as FLW, an American designer and architect, who believed in design being in harmony with humanity and is recognised for designing over 1,000 structures in his career spanning over 70 years.

"But also, when I see where our country has come from and where it is heading, I also see our President as an inspiration to me.

"He is very inspirational. It’s such an amazing journey he initiated and he makes sure that the plan he designed for the country is followed,” Bigwi says about President Paul Kagame.

He also makes sure he follows what happens elsewhere in the world, from China, to Dubai and Europe, ensuring that he keeps his tabs on the latest designs and developments.

The architect says that like any other business, they have been hard hit by the Coronavirus outbreak, which has impacted on their ability to deliver on projects in a timely manner while some clients have put construction projects on hold.

The father of one, however, remains hopeful that the situation will relent and they will continue with their projects.