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Mixed-Use development · Old Town Mombasa · 2025

Mombasa Old Town Swahili Conservation

Mombasa Old Town is a National Heritage Site with rich Swahili Architectural Traditions. The key question in this project is how can these traditions be preserved while responding to modern needs?

Client
Private Commision
Area
1598 m²
Lead Architect
Japheth Cheruiyot
Category
Conservation
Mombasa Old Town Swahili Conservation

01Design Brief

A mixed-use development accommodating retail shops, parking space, restaurant, office spaces and residential units was needed on two empty pieces of land in Mombasa Old Town. Of crucial importance was incorporating Swahili Architectural Traditions in this development to the satisfaction of the National Museums of Kenya. A one week long fieldwork was done in the neighbourhood to investigate Swahili Architectural Constants which were then incorporated in the design.

02Reflection

Architectural Conservation is not about freezing a culture in time for the sake of tourism, but preserving its soul as the world changes. In this project, traditions that were constrained by technology were enhanced using modern building methods like the use of concrete and steel.

Japheth Cheruiyot

033D Views

6 drawings

04Design Development

18 drawings

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