Young African Leaders Initiative

In 2010, President Barack Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative to support a generation emerging across the continent of young leaders driving economic growth, enhancing economic governance, and strengthening civil society structure. The program is housed in four regional leadership centers located across the continent. MASS Design Group was retained alongside DLR Group to create the interior design of YALI’s East Africa Space, located on the campus of Kenyatta University in Nairobi. Over a tight ten-week timeline, and within the confines of an existing space on the university’s campus, MASS and DLR Group created a flexible environment combining informal learning areas, transformable conference rooms, and semi-private spaces for constant collaboration. The design blends contemporary elements with traditional materials.