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Alessandro van Wageningen
FOUNDING PARTNER
DIRECTOR/LEAD DESIGNER/VISUAL SPECIALIST
Alex, Italian/Dutch by origin, completed his high school International Baccalaureate curriculum in Rome, Italy, after growing up and doing most of his previous schooling in Kenya. He excelled in Art and Mathematics thus leading him to pursue a diploma in Habitat Design at the Instituto Quasar in Rome where he gained a good knowledge of interior architecture, habitat design, and product design.
His passion for designing spaces as well as sketches and illustration led him to the UK to complete a BA Honour’s degree in CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) from the University of Kent.
After University Alex returned to Kenya and began working as a Freelancer in the field of Architecture providing computer generated visuals and designs for some the most prominent firms and developers in Kenya. Alex became one of the first CGI Artists generating quality marketing renders in Kenya. After 2 years of success as a Freelancer, Alex teamed up with his twin brother Max who had been working at an award winning Architecture firm in London and began expanding their scope as a consultancy into a design firm focusing on Architecture.
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Alex, together with his brother, soon began to put together a carefully selected team of professionals and Cocoon Studio was then established. Alex was paramount in pushing Cocoon Studio to become the successful Architecture Design Studio it is today. Cocoon Studio offers full architectural services, from concept design to execution of build with numerous successful projects and satisfied clients in all parts of Kenya.
Max van Wageningen
FOUNDING PARTNER
DIRECTOR/LEAD DESIGNER
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After schooling in his home country Kenya and excelling in the creative arts, Max went to Rome, Italy, to acquire a diploma in Habitat Design at L’instituto Quasar. Here he learned the technical side of the creative world, building knowledge in the most advanced design programs at the time and focusing on interior and exterior concept design 3d modeling and layout as well as product design.
After obtaining his Deploma in Habitat design, Max applied for a BA Honors degree in Modelmaking at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in the United Kingdom. Max spent the next three years learning about building models with advanced machinery and processes such as laser cutting, molding, casting and 3d printing.
Straight out of University, he was hired by Allies and Morrison Architects in London as one of their in-house model makers. For the next 3 years Max fine-tuned his Architectural knowledge building top end architectural Models with Award winning Projects in London.
After London, Max Joined his Brother Alex in Kenya who had built up a reputation as one of the best Architectural 3D CGI (computer Generated Imagery) freelance artists in Nairobi and Cocoon Studio was created.
Cocoon Studio has been operating as a successful Architectural Design Studio since 2012 under the Co-Directorship and Co-Management of both Max and Alex. Max acts as Lead designer on his appointed projects and by now has an in-depth knowledge of how to Design and consult for high end developments here in Kenya.
Peter Mosoti
ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT/DRAFTSMAN
Peter is an Architectural Assistant and a draftsman with a Diploma in Architecture from The Nairobi Institute of Technology. His specialties include: Concept development, Cad modeling/drafting, project supervision and conducting site surveys. He is excellent in the field of Architecture, earning him an internship program at Architect Ndarua and associates then he was hired as an assistant Architect at Syntax Architects. He later joined Elegant Properties as a project supervisor and an Assistant Architect .
He is currently hired at Cocoon studio as an Architectural assistant handling concept development, design drawings, site survey, documentation and project management. Throughout his study and career journey, He strives to live up to the aspirations of excellence in his practice.
Francis Gichara
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Francis is an Interior Designer & Architectural Technologist with a knack for detail. With a Bachelor's degree in Art & Design, Interior Design specialization from The University of Nairobi, His specialties include: Concept development, Cad modeling and Rendering. From His earlier interests in the built environment working for his father’s construction company, Francis has always excelled in the field of design, earning him an internship and later assistant Interior
Designer’s role in his second year of university.
He was later hired at Cocoon studio in His last year of studies where He has continued to push the boundaries of Interior Design, Architectural Visualization, and Design Documentation. Francis now heads the Interior Design department, handling concept development, design presentation & liaison.
Gideon Nyangi
ARCHITECT/LEAD SITE SUPERVISOR
Gideon is an Architect and Lead Site supervisor. An outstanding designer, his skillset is best expressed in conceptual development, modeling, and visualization, with proficiency with Archicad, Sketchup, and twin motion. Gideon is an all-rounded individual and his experience of more than 7yrs in the field of architecture saw him join the team where he adds to the diversity of the firm.
His Journey in the built environment began in 2011 when he was awarded a diploma in Architecture from Nairobi Institute Of Architecture(NIT) in 2012. Upon graduation, he got to apply the technical knowledge gained working for Syntax Architects and later Morphosis Ltd for 4yrs as a technician, assistant Architect and periodically did site supervisions. Between the yrs 2016 and 2020, he went on to join Jomo Kenyatta University to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture (BA JKUAT), and during his time in school, he had stints with Morphosis Ltd, Catalysis Ltd. and M+E Architects as a designer and site supervisor.
To add to his wealth of experience, he worked with Ashlar Builders Ltd(building contractors) where he solely focused on construction and site matters between 2019-2021.
Gideon's experience in site and construction matters would later earn him a position in Cocoon Studio in mid-2021 as part of the team's professionals to offer diverse architectural services to its esteemed client's
Brett Ayton
FOUNDING PARTNER AT ATA LTD
COCOON STUDIO BUILDING PARTNER
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Brett was born in Kenya and has 26 years experience in construction specialising in building luxury well-finished houses. Brett has hands-on experience in general building work with the emphasis on the artisanal finishing trades like Tiling, plastering, skimming, Painting, metal work, dry stone walling and masonry work.
In 1995 Brett worked as a labourer for a dry stone walling company in Cheltenham and was very quick to pick up the art form. Within six months he was a fully-fledged dry stone Waller in the United Kingdom.
Since gaining a wealth of experience as a tradesman Brett was then involved with many different construction projects in the UK from conversions to renovating listed buildings. Brett then took on further apprenticeship as a tiler and general builder and garnered a whole load of experience fitting out bathrooms and kitchens in the Bristol and Cheltenham areas.
From 2000 to 2007 Brett was fully involved with a team of builders renovating houses in Cheltenham, Stroud and Bristol and spent much of his time managing renovations. This included supervising tradesmen and labour and procuring materials and doing cashflow forecasts.
Brett moved back to Kenya in 2007 where he Co-founded At The Ayton's Limited (ATA) which in its infancy was a development company drawing on Brett’s experience and knowledge of building and finishing domestic houses.
After many successful developments in Kenya, ATA is now a professional and highly experienced property development and construction firm and partner with Cocoon Studio providing a comprehensive range of services.
