Chengdong Modular House Co., Ltd.

Project Overview

The Kenya Mombasa Accommodation and Office Camp Project delivered a comprehensive modular camp spanning 3,797 m² on Mombasa Island’s coastal setting. Leveraging Chengdong’s ZA and ZM prefabricated modules, the project provides secure, comfortable accommodation, recreational facilities, dining areas, and large-span office spaces to support the client’s operations in southeastern Kenya.

Client and Location

• Client: Unnamed major international contractor

• Location: Mombasa Island, Coastal Province, Kenya

• Context: Mombasa is Kenya’s second-largest city and a key Indian Ocean port, connected to the mainland by causeway and railway bridge. The camp serves staff deployed in local maritime, infrastructure, and logistics projects.

Objectives

1. Provide modular accommodation units for up to 150 personnel.

2. Deliver recreation and dining facilities to enhance livability.

3. Create large-span office spaces for administrative and coordination functions.

4. Ensure full compliance with client design requirements, local regulations, and COC inspection standards.

5. Achieve turnkey delivery—from inquiry to installation—in under 14 months despite multiple design revisions.

Scope of Work

• Total Area: 3,797 m² of modular construction

• Module Types: – ZA units for small-span functions (accommodation rooms, recreation areas, dining hall). – ZM units for large-span office blocks with multi-unit linkage.

• Quantities: 20 × 40 ft sea containers retrofitted into ZA and ZM modules.

• Services: – Design adaptation and 10 rounds of revision (June 2018–June 2019). – Structural fabrication, surface treatment, and factory finishing. – Logistics planning, sea freight shipment, and customs coordination. – On-site supervision for installation and commissioning.

Design and Technical Features

• ZA Modules

• Light-span steel frames with insulated sandwich panels

• Integrated plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC-ready liners

• Configured as bedroom clusters, lounge areas, and mess hall

• ZM Modules

• Heavy-gauge steel frames for clear-span office layouts

• Linking frames to create continuous workspace zones

• Full-height glazing and partition options for flexible interior layouts

• Sustainability & Comfort

• Thermal insulation suitable for coastal humidity

• Corrosion-resistant coatings for saline air exposure

• Natural ventilation design complemented by mechanical cooling provisions

Project Timeline

• June 2018–June 2019: Inquiry, design development, and 10 rounds of client-driven revisions

• June 25, 2019: Final design lock-in and raw materials procurement

• July 18–20, 2019: Loading of 20 × 40 ft containers for sea shipment

• Production lead time: 3 weeks (factory prefabrication completed ahead of schedule)

• September 2019: Arrival, installation, and commissioning at Mombasa site

• October 2019: Client and COC inspection, successful acceptance, and handover

Challenges and Solutions

• Multiple Design Iterations

• Challenge: Ten client-driven revisions required frequent quotation updates and technical adjustments.

• Solution: Dedicated design and commercial teams provided rapid proposal updates and maintained clear communication, ensuring client confidence throughout the process.

• Marine Climate Conditions

• Challenge: High humidity and salt-laden air threatened material durability.

• Solution: Applied galvanization and marine-grade coatings, plus enhanced insulation panels.

• Logistics Coordination

• Challenge: Complex sea freight scheduling and customs clearance.

• Solution: Early coordination with shipping lines and local agents to secure vessel space and expedite COC inspections.

Outcomes and Client Feedback

• On-Time Delivery: Modules completed, shipped, and commissioned within seven months of order confirmation.

• Compliance and Quality: Client representatives and COC inspectors confirmed full compliance with specifications and regulatory standards.

• Client Satisfaction: High praise for Chengdong’s responsive service, technical expertise, and ability to accommodate extensive design revisions.

• Future Collaboration: Successful execution laid a strong foundation for ongoing partnership and potential scaling of modular solutions for additional projects in East Africa.

This project underscores Chengdong’s capability to deliver complex, large-scale modular camp solutions in challenging coastal environments, combining design flexibility with rapid, high-quality execution.