When people talk about modern living, it usually comes down to a few simple needs. A home should feel safe, comfortable, and engaging enough to make you want to stay in it.

Increasingly, modern architectural design is stepping in to meet those expectations, and it is beginning to reshape parts of Rwanda’s real estate market.

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We visited a newly completed property that had already started attracting attention, even before it officially hit the market. These kinds of homes do not linger long, we were told, and the point was quickly proven when a realtor arrived mid-visit to have a look. The timing worked in our favour. The developer walked us through the house, offering an explanation of how it came together and why he believes this style of living has a future here.

Set on a 650 square metre plot in Rusororo, the home is the work of Abraham "Dele” Makinde, who prefers to go by Dellman. A Nigerian with a UK upbringing, Makinde said his decision to invest in Rwanda came from seeing potential in the country’s growing appetite for high-end living.

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His goal, he explained, is to deliver the kind of housing quality commonly found in parts of Europe or Asia, but built for an African context. He is currently working on projects in several other countries across the continent.

Makinde noted that many Rwandans value solid construction, and that guided his material choices. Much of what went into the house was imported, with finishes sourced from countries including Italy, China, India and Nigeria.

For him, quality is not just aesthetic but structural. He said he has observed developments with steep asking prices that do not match the actual cost or quality of the materials used. In some cases, he added, homes are finished poorly but still marketed at premium prices simply because of their location.

Location matters, Makinde acknowledged, but he believes it should not excuse substandard work. He pointed to overcrowded neighbourhoods as an example of where price and comfort do not always align. In contrast, Rusororo offers space, quiet and a sense of separation from the city’s congestion.

The calm, he said, is part of the luxury.

This house is something of a test case. Makinde said he is watching closely to see how the market responds before expanding the concept. Land costs are already steep, with the plot alone valued at about $100,000, or roughly Rwf145 million, making careful planning not just important but necessary.

He also noted that many buyers in Kigali purchase based almost entirely on neighbourhood reputation, sometimes without closely examining the property itself. That approach, he warned, benefits developers more than homeowners.

Rusororo, in his view, represents the next phase of upscale living in Kigali. The area’s quiet streets and open surroundings signal a shift toward neighbourhoods that offer both quality construction and a better day-to-day living experience.

In the past, automated homes were largely limited to luxury projects. Today, however, devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri have made home automation more accessible. Modern systems go further than simple voice commands: security cameras connect to smartphones, sensors turn off lights when rooms are empty, and blinds adjust automatically to sunlight.

Living with intelligent design

Artificial intelligence is beginning to anticipate habits, heating showers at the usual time or cooling rooms before you arrive. These innovations are already shaping how architects design homes, influencing both layout and the infrastructure needed for smooth operation.

When we arrived at the property, Makinde called out to Alexa from his phone as we walked through the gate. The system responded immediately, greeting us and even starting music, as if we were arriving for a party.

The house’s three-story modernist design, open living spaces, and layered interiors brought to mind the iconic Laurel Canyon of Hollywood. I couldn’t help but think of BoJack Horseman — a fictional character known for his sprawling, party-ready mansion — and joked that a local artiste might scoop up this kind of property.

The conversation quickly turned to affordability, and how, much like BoJack losing his show residuals, our own creatives often earn too little to secure homes like this.

The real-life property is equally impressive. It features four en-suite bedrooms, a cinema room, two open-plan living areas, an office, a game room, a rooftop gym, and a terrace overlooking Kanombe Artificial Lake.

The house also has a swimming pool, integrated automation with a waterfall and fireplace, parking for four cars, and dedicated staff quarters. Makinde said these features are what truly set the home apart.

How smart homes work

Home automation operates within the broader Internet of Things, or IoT — a network of interconnected objects, from devices to vehicles and buildings, equipped with sensors and software to collect and share data.

The power of IoT in home automation comes from its ability to make devices work together seamlessly. This interconnection allows for highly personalized and efficient living.

At a basic level, automation enables monitoring: you can check security cameras, thermostats, or smart locks remotely. The next level is control: adjust lights, temperature, doors, or entertainment systems from your phone or via voice commands. Finally, automation routines take over repetitive tasks: lights turn on at sunset, thermostats adjust automatically based on occupancy, and security systems arm when you leave.

Combining these levels creates a home that adapts to your lifestyle. Daily chores are simplified, energy use is optimized, and utility bills are reduced. Security is strengthened with smart locks, cameras, and alarms, while accessibility improves for residents with mobility challenges.

"Designing a smart home requires careful planning from the very beginning,” Makinde said. "The first step is ensuring the right infrastructure: dedicated conduits for network cabling, strong Wi-Fi coverage, strategic electrical distribution, and, in many cases, a centralized automation system. It’s essential that the architect, engineer, and client are aligned on automation needs from the project’s inception.”

He added that many features can be thoughtfully integrated into the design: built-in enclosures for sound systems, light fixtures compatible with dimming, discreet sensors embedded into cabinetry, and facades with movable elements that respond to sunlight or temperature.

Sustainable technologies, such as solar panels with smart monitoring or sensor-controlled water reuse systems, further enhance the home without detracting from its appearance. For Makinde, technology should be functional yet invisible, seamlessly supporting everyday life without compromising the aesthetics of the project.

Under the Urbanisation and Rural Settlement Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029, the government aims to deliver 1,296 affordable and social rental housing units by 2029, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Yet the challenge is far greater: the Rwanda Housing Authority projects the country will need 5.5 million homes by 2050, up from 2.5 million in 2019, to accommodate a population expected to exceed 22 million. As the demand grows, the question becomes not just how to build enough homes, but how to build them intelligently — integrating technology, sustainability, and design that meets the needs of modern Rwandans.