CONSERVATION REPORT

PROJECT SUMMARY
the project brief is the redevelopement of an existing building, the fort seafood and
pizzeria restaurant, located in old town mombasa at the intersection of mbarak hinaway
street and ndia kuu.
the redevelopement was to follow a contextual study of the strret in a bid to understand
and appreciate, both architecturally and environmentally, the swahili heritage and in doing
so accomodate the following spaces in the new design;
a) a reception space that incorporates an information center/ library
b) an exhibition space, both permanent as well as temporary
c) a curato's office
d) a restaurant
e) four guest rooms

The architectural character of mombasa old town was the guiding principle for the
redevelopement in order to ensure that the resulting solution will compliment the
neighbouring context.
for this reason, elements of the architectural character of mombasa old town have been
largely borrowed and incorporated in the design. they include;

DAKA
USE OF DAKAS
INCORPORATION OF AN OUTER PORCH WITH SOLID BENCHES ON EITHER SIDE. THE DAKA OPENS
ONTO THE STREET AND GIVES ONTO AN INNER PORCH THROUGH DOUBLE DOORS,

Use of projecting balconies

use of enclosed projecting balconies to allow for privacy by shielding one from prying eyes in the
street below whilst still allowing one to take in air. the balconies are from hardwood mvule.

projecting balconies

incorporation of an arcade
the arcade helps to provide a sheltered walkway for pedestrians as they approach the
courtyard. it also humanises the design by scaling the entrance into the courtyard.

underpass

USE OF DECORATED DOORS DECORATED DOOR

THE DESIGN INCORPORATES HEAVY, WOODEN BEAUTIFUL AND COMPLEXLY CURVED SWAHILI DOORS.
THE DOORS HAVE IRON STUDS ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE TO HOLD THE DOOR PANELS AND TO BREAK
FROM UNIFORMITY.

USE OF LOUVERS ON WINDOWS

THIS HELP MAXIMISE AIRFLOW WITHOUT COMPROMISISNG ON THE PRIVACY.

LOUVERED WINDOWS

use of straight external staircase

most of the buildings in the neighbourhood incorporate the use of straight external
staircase due to limitations in terms of building materials. in this design, the staircase acts
as the way to the guest rooms as well as for fire escape purposes.

straight external staircase

VERTICAL RATIO IN FENESTRATIONS

THE WINDOWS ARE DESIGNED WITH A PROPORTION RATIO OF 2:1. THE WINDOWS COMPRISE OF TWO PARTS,
THE LOWER FIXED PART AND THE UPPER OPERABLE PART.

USE OF HIGHLY DECORATIVE RAILINGS

THE DESIGN INCORPORATES CROSS-SHAPED PATTERNED RAILINGS TO MAKE THE BALCONIES AND
STAIRCASE MORE DECORATIVE AS IS THE DESIGN CONSTANT OF SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE.

DECORATIVE BALCONY

USE OF COURTYARD
MOST OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD INCORPORATE A COURTYARD IN THEIR
DESIGN. THE COURTYARD HELPS TO IMPROVE NATURAL VENTILATION IN THE BUILDING.

COURTYARD

CONCLUSion
the approach used in the design of the proposed building is one that maintains the integrity of the
neigbourhood especially the streets of mbarak and ndia kuu. the approach is one which provides
solutions in harmony with the existing context.

NG'ANG'A ALLAN NGUGI

ABS211-0040/2016
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