SWAHILI (COASTAL ACHITECTURE) DESIGN CONSTANTS

6: S PROJECT OAUNDERSTANDING TRADITIONAL SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE PLANNING OF OLD TOWN MOMBASA, LAMU AND ZANZIBAR ORIGIN OF THE SWAHILI

OLD TOWN MOMBASA

ZANZIBAR

LAMU

AREAS OF STUDY

The Cushitic, early inhabitants of the coast, were joined by Bantu speaking tribes, including the Mijikenda, with whom they freely intermarried.

Other groups later migrated to the coastline including Arab and Hindi.

They too intermarried with indigenous people and the Bantu speaking tribes, giving rise to a new culture, people and Map of Old Town Mombasa Source: www.googlemaps.com language, The Swahili tribe.

Part map of Lamu Source: Nzilani C, 2015 Thesis

Lamu's phsical setting determined its narrow elongated shape.

The streets run parallel and perpendicular to sloping sand dune underneath.

Houses are grouped together, along north-south axis to pay tribute to Mecca and create a close community.

The warfare characteristic of the area from Portuguese and Arab and Zimba community wars influenced architecturea and planning.

The town building are close to each other due to the need for security.This ensured immediate mobilization incase of an attack.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TYPOLOGIES 1. VERANDAH HOUSE 2. COMPACT HOUSE(variation of courtyard house) 3. SHOP HOUSE 4.TRADITIONAL STONE HOUSE

Photograph of Swahili women Source: Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation , www.kbc.com

1

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SHOP 3

SHOP 4

20R x 0.150 20G x 0.300

9

SHOP 2

10

SHOP 1

1500*3000mm external Gujerati mvule door with brass hinges and latch and louvers above door frame for permanent ventilation

11 12 13 14 15 16

STUDY: RODHA HOUSE IN LAMU

17 18 19 20 DOWN

STORAGE

Found in Old Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar.

BALCONY

STUDY:SAADIA HOUSE IN LAMU

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

S-04

UP 1 2 3

STORAGE

4 5

20R x 0.150 20G x 0.350

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

6 7 8 9

STORAGE

STORAGE

STORAGE

S01

BEDROOM

10 11 12 DOWN 20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

WC

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200 UP 1 2 3 4 5 6

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

8 20R x 0.150 20G x 0.300

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

16

18 19 20 DOWN

UP 1 2 3 4 20R x 0.150 20G x 0.350

9

8

7

6

5

5 6 7 8 9 10

2000mm wide straight external staircase of 300mm tread and 200mm riser made from coral rag with no balustrades

4

1500*3000mm external Gujerati mvule door with brass hinges and latch and louvers above door frame for permanent ventilation

N

N

FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:200

E01

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200 E01

26R x 0.154 26G x 0.309

3

11 12

SECTION S01 1:200

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

YARD (open to sky)

2

SHOP 4

4.The grid of the house is regulated by boriti poles, with original rooms being narrow and long.

11 10

1

SHOP 3

3.Distinct hierarchy of spaces from the public to semi-public to semi-private to private with the veranda at the front and the court at the back

26R x 0.154 26G x 0.309

2000mm wide straight external staircase of 300mm tread and 200mm riser made from coral rag with no balustrades

9

SHOP 2

1.This house has a colonnaded or arched walkway at the front of the house.

2.A typical verandah house has an open stone arcade at the ground floor formed by great floor centred arches which provide a transition space between the public walkway and the house.

11 10

8

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

12

7

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

13

YARD OPEN TO SKY

6

900mm high parapet wall

14

5

Baruti truss to support the roof

GSEducationalVersion

17

4

Makuti roof over courtyard below

Perspective picture of Makuti roof above courtyard Source: Masinjila George, 2016 Thesis

18

3

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:200

Courtyard acts as organizing element for residential units

16

12

2

DOWN

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

N

SHOP 1

picture of The Saadia House Source: Masinjila George, 2016 Thesis

1

WC

17

13

UP

BEDROOM

18

14

15

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

15 26

17

S-04

WC

UP

Perspective picture of The Rhodha House Source: Masinjila George, 2016 Thesis

CORRIDOR

BEDROOM

WC

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster Perspective internally and externally

DOWN

LOBBY (open to sky)

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

BEDROOM

1500*3000mm external Gujerati mvule door with brass hinges and latch and louvers above door frame for permanent ventilation

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

WC

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

7

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

N

KITCHEN

15mm coconut fibre S01 mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

S01

S01

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

19

UP

Found in Old Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar.

Has shops and offices(Indian Shop House) on ground floor with residential units on the floors above.

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

2. VERANDAH HOUSE

20

1.5M WIDE STREET

VERANDAH

21

E-01

Zanzibar's phsical setting along rhe coast determined its narrow elongated shape.

The streets have better planning than Lamu and Old Town Mombasa as the Sultans that ruled over time had a sence of organization and focused on health issues of settlers to detemine location of residential areas.

1. VERANDAH HOUSE 2. CARAVAN SERAI / MUSFARKHANAS 3. SWAHILI HOUSE 4. INDIAN SHOP HOUSE 5. ARAB HOUSE 6. OMANI HOUSE

22

1.SHOP HOUSE

2000mm wide straight external staircase of 300mm tread and 200mm riser made from coral rag with no balustrades

ZANZIBAR

23

1. VERANDAH HOUSE 2. COURTYARD HOUSE 3. SHOP HOUSE 4. MOMBASA TRADITIONAL HOUSE 5. SWAHILI HOUSE

LAMU

26

MOMBASA

Zoning Map of Zanzibar Source: Zanzibar, Fransisco Siravo

DOWN

The Swahili practice: Fishing as a main economic activity.

Agriculture of sisal, coconuts, palms.

Music and entertainment through dance.

Arts and craft through wood carving, silversmith and weaving.

24

SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

25

Part map of Africa showing migration pattern of the Bantu from Niger and Congo Source: Jian Chao, ResearchGate Bantu and Nilotic migrations publication

Purple/ violet- veranda houses Red- shophouses Yellow - traditional stone houses Blue- religious buildings Dark green/ brown- public buildings

Makuti roof over courtyard below

Ceraminc roof tiles laid on timber purlins supported by a timber truss

Baruti truss to support the roof

Makuti roof over courtyard below

COVERED TERRACE

Patterned perforated coral stone wall 1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

Baruti truss to support the roof

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars 1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

COVERED TERRACE Mvule balcony balustrade

Boriti pole supporting floor slab Mvule timber members 150mm apart providing privacy for closed balcony

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag S01 slab

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

1:200

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars 1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally ELEV

01 1:200

OJWANG SHEILA ATIENOS B02/1013/2016 A

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6: S PROJECT OAUNDERSTANDING TRADITIONAL SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE 2

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

4

DINING ROOM

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

BEDROOM

9 14 15 19 20 DOWN 18R x 0.167 18G x 0.267

1

N

KITCHEN

18 17

20R x 0.200 20G x 0.250

19

16

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coralNrag slab

FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:200

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200

Makuti roof tiles on mangrove truss

Makuti roof tiles on mangrove truss

FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:200

20

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200

GUEST BEDROOM

1000*1500mm mushrabiya screen

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 1. Spaces faces inwards around a courtyard.

Steel and glass casement windows

2. Courtyard is accessible to the family members and View from the street close relatives from all rooms.

Source: Masinjila Thesis Perspective view from the street Source: Nzilani C, 2015 Thesis

3.The interiors are richly decorated with niches on the walls and finely carved wooden furniture.

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

6

20R x 0.200 20G x 0.250 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

19 DOWN

18R x 0.167 18G x 0.267

15

18

N

UP

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

DAKA

DOWN 20

7

20R x 0.150 20G x 0.350

17

1

5

16

5 4 3 2

2000mm wide straight external staircase of 300mm tread and 200mm riser made from coral rag with no balustrades

4

4 3 2

3

15

9 8

UP

9

5

BEDROOM

2

12 14

STORE

1

11 13

10

16

8

11

7

17

12

7

6

18

11

6

14

UP

13

19

10

16

13

BEDROOM

16 15 14

15

12

PORCH

17

LOUNGE

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

View of roof area Source: Masinjila Thesis

1000mm wide straight external staircase of 300mm tread and 200mm riser made from coral rag with no balustrades N

8

9

18

17

DINING ROOM

18

DOWN 20

9

8 10

18

LOUNGE

DOWN

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab 1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

10

6 7

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

WC

DOWN

WC

11

5

COURTYARD

LOUNGE

COURTYARD

KITCHEN BEDROOM

LOBBY

12

4

17

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

LOBBY open to sky

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

13

3

16

KITCHEN

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

14

12

2

15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

corridor

corridor

15

11

PORCH

PORCH

5

1

1200mm coral stone blocks with 15mm lime plaster internally and externally

GUEST BEDROOM

4

10 13

LOUNGE

COVERED LOBBY

3

UP

8 20R x 0.150 20G x 0.350

STUDY: BAHATI HOUSE

UP

7

STORE

1500*3000mm internal mvule door with brass hinges and latch

2

6

BEDROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

1

5

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

WC

3

STUDY: HOUSE PLOT 40 ALONG MBARAK HINAWAY STREET

WC

Only found in Mombasa

1

1500*3000mm external Gujerati mvule door with brass hinges and latch and louvers above door frame for permanent ventilation

UP

3. COURTYARD HOUSE Found sparsely in Mombasa, Zanzibar and abundantly in Lamu

15mm coconut fibre mat on 15mm lime plaster on 350mm coral rag slab

BEDROOM

4. TRADITIONAL SWAHILI HOUSE

1200*2400mm mvule window with wrought iron bars

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 1.Have long, thin rooms moving back parallel to the main façade.

Timber casmenent window with mvule louvers

200mm coral stone wall bonded with sand and lime mortar 200mm RC slab finished with cement screed

COURTYARD

GUEST BEDROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

450mm coral stone wall bonded with sand and lime mortar

KITCHEN

2.Some have glass panes, others have double shutters to allow maximum possible airflow without compromising much on privacy.

ELEVATION E01 1:200

4. OMANI DOOR ZANZIBAR 1. OMANI DOOR 2. ZANZIBAR-STYLE DOOR

1. LAMU DOOR

2. BAJUNI DOOR Wooden lintel made of square beams painted red and black

••••

Carved centerpost Geometric and diagramatic pattern

• •••

Door panel with iron nails

e •

Stone benches on door side (baraza) Lamu doors borrowed elements of Omani and Zanzibar style.

Ornamentation often represented fruits and flowers

OUT

• •••

• • •• • •

•• •

•••

Door frame carved with design based on Anthemion ornament Centerpost carved with both geometric and floral mottifs Decorative molding for cosmetic finish

Large spikes on door panel High wooden uncarved threshold

Stone step

5.ZANZIBAR DOOR Grandest door filled with intricate folicate carving.

Lintel extends beyond the frame

3. SIYU DOOR Lintel carved with roselles

Carved centerpost Fleur-de-lis pattern

GSEducationalVersion

MOMBASA 1. INDIAN-NEO CLASSICAL DOOR 2. GUJERATI DOOR

SECTION S01 1:200

0.750

LAMU 1. LAMU DOOR 2. SIYU DOOR 3. BAJUNI DOOR 4. OMANI DOOR

LOBBY

ELEVATION E01 1:200

4.They had ornate plaster carving.

DOOR TYPES

GUEST BEDROOM

Circular geometric medallions

Lintel extends beyond door frame and acts as a clasp to keep the frame.

Chipwork carving on door frame

Patterns are engraved and painted(stained)-red with lacquer finishrather than carved into the wood

Iron pivot

Ornamental brass work

Beaded edging centerpost Carving patterns of zig-zag motion borrowed from ships (mtepe) sailed by the Bajuni people

NO CENTERPOST Circular patterns painted on the door panels (imprinted with round medallions)

Semi circular lintel with rosette patterns

3.000

Worms eye view of the courtyard Source: Nzilani C, 2015 Thesis

IN

MASTER BEDROOM

3.Have carved wooden balconies.

Bajuni chipwork involves chipping our parts of wood to create circles and straight lines intersecting to form geometric patterns

5.GUJERATI DOOR

Frame taking appearance of classical columns

1.500

Gujerati doors are distinctive from use of tolla construction.

Nailes visible from the outside from joining of panels using large timber posts

Timber posts nailed to the frame from the inside

SKETCH DEMONSTRATING HOW LAMU AND BUJANI DOOR IS ASSEMBLED

Diagramatic representation of mitre bridle joint used to join side frames and top frame(kizingiti cha juu), This is then strengthened by lapped lintel extending beyond the frame

Diagramatic representation of tolla construction Source: 19th Century Carved Wooden Doors of East African Coast

OJWANG SHEILA ATIENOS B02/1013/2016 A

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6: S PROJECT OAUNDERSTANDING TRADITIONAL SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE SWAHILI CONSTANTS

5. VERTICALITY OF FENESTRATIONS

OLD TOWN MOMBASA

1.IRREGULAR, DENSLY CLUSTERED AND NARROW STREETS OLD TOWN MOMBASA

ZANZIBAR

LAMU

Map of Old Town Mombasa Source: Nzilani C, 2015 Thesis

Part map of Lamu Source: Lamu Town Nomination

Part map of Zanzibar Stone Town Source: Nzilani C, 2015 Thesis

PART STREET ELEVATION OF NDIA KUU STREET, OLD TOWN MOMBASA

LAMU

Coral block walls with

Coral rag walls with lime plaster, timber doors,

Coral rag walls with lime

timber windows and ceramic tile roof

Coral rag walls with lime

Coral rag walls with

plaster, timber windows , timber doors and mabati

lime plaster, glass windows, timber doors

roof

and mabati

plaster, glass windows and mabati roof

cementplaster, glass

Coral ragwalls with

Coral r

windows, timber doors

lime plaster, timber

with lim

and makuti roof

windows and doors,

plaste

and lime plastered

window

roof terrace

doorsa

roof

plaste

terrace

Steet View of Ndia Kuu street Source: www.safari254.com

Street View of Lamu behind Lamu Fort Source: www.tripadvisor.com

Dense clusters are due to need for immediate mobilization during warfare era of Portuguesse, Zimba and Arab communities, which was the period of Old Town Mombasa planning.

The dense clusters also ensured security.

Lamu's phsical setting determined its narrow elongated shape.

The streets run parallel and perpendicular to sloping sand dune underneath.

Houses are grouped together, along northsouth axis to pay tribute to Mecca and create a close community.

Street View of Zanzibar Stone Town Source: www.tripadvisor.com

Long narrow elongated streets due to physical location along the coast.

Dense population due to numeras trade activities that occured along the coast

PART STREET ELEVATION OF BAZAAR STREET,LAMU

ZANZIBAR

2. 3M - 3.3M BUILDING SPANS

3.300

WC

SH

3.300

BEDROOM

3.000

3.300SECTION S01

3.000

1:100

3.300

DINING ROOM

Building spans range from 3m to 3.3m due to: 1: Limitations of boroti beams.

The Swahili use mangrove for structure and it can only span a maximum of 3.5m 2: Small plot sizes along the coast due to dense clustered planning during the colonial eras.

Short boriti spanned poles supporting slab above

BEDROOM

BARAZA

N

3.300

6. SIMPLE EXTERNAL WALLS AND DEEPLY ORNAMENTED INTERIOR WALLS EXTERNAL WALL

Street View of a Lamu street Source: www.tripadvisor.com

3.300

LIVING ROOM

PART STREET ELEVATION OF BAZAAR STREET,LAMU

In all 3 town, there is a symmetry in the positioning of fenestrations in elevation.

Doors and windows align from top to bottom of all elevations and then repeat each other creating harmony in the narrow busy streets.

Coral stone used for exterial walls Close up view of coral stone Source: www.tripadvisor.com

BARAZA 3.000

3.300

GROUND FLOOR PLAN OF SWAHILI HOUSE IN MOMBASA 1:100

3. 2:1 RATIO FOR DOORS, WINDOWS AND ARCHES

0.750

Street View of a Lamu street Source: www.tripadvisor.com

INTERNAL WALL Interior walls were decorated with niches.

3.000

It was mainly in the master bedroom and rooms that held prestidge to a particular family Coral stone used for exterial walls with lime mortar and initial lime plaster

Sketch of a window in Lamu

1.500

Zanzibar door showing the 2:1 ratio

Window of a building in Lamu Source: www.tripadvisor.com

Intricate plasterwork applied to internal walls and cornices

The 2:1 ratio helps ensure harmony and unity in the elevation.

This ties the whole street elevation together.

The ratio also simplified construction due to the limited technology Vista of interior decorated wall Source: www.swahiliplasterwork.com

4. HIGH FLOOR TO CEILING HEIGHT

Close up of exterior wall Source: www.swahiliplasterwork.com

Close up of interior decorated wall Source: www.picfair.swahilidecoratedwork.com

7. USE OF SMALL WINDOWS

ROOF LEVEL +15300

THIRD FLOOR +12300

SECOND FLOOR +9300 SHOP 1

SHOP 2

SHOP 3

SHOP 4

FIRST FLOOR +5100

SECTION S01 1:100

GROUND LEVEL 0

SECTION S01 1:100

High ceiling create a grand feeling making a space feel prestigious.

The high ceilings also made the small coastal houses feel bigger and more spacious.

GSEducationalVersion

Perspective of a verandah house in Lamu Source: www.tripadvisor.com

Large windows provide for faster heating or cooling, making rooms gain or lose heat heat too fast depending on external conditions.

Having small windows with a high thermal mass walls ensures the building does not gain or lose heat too fast, keeping internal temperatures at a comfort zone

900*1800mm high window.

The windows have top sash which are side or top hung and a bottom sash made of mvule or teak louvers to ensure permanent ventilation

OJWANG SHEILA ATIENOS B02/1013/2016 A

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6: S PROJECT OAUNDERSTANDING TRADITIONAL SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE 11. BUILDING MATERIALS

STONE WALL

SWAHILI CONSTANTS 8. PRIVACY GRADIENT

outdoor staircase

DAKA / PORCH- male dominated space used to entertain visitors

PUBLIC SPACES

porch

KAWANDA / COURTYARDspace open to sky and the central point of all activities from children playground to host of ceremonies. stores wc

courtyard

SEMIPUBLIC SPACES indoor staircase

MSANA WA TINI / LOUNGE - begining of privacy and is raised from the coutyard for drainage and the steps are the transistion element

Source:www.masterbuilders.com

EARTH WALL

lounge dining space

PRIVATE SPACES

bedroom 2

bedroom 1

MSANA WA JUU - most private spaces comprised of the bedrooms GROUND FLOOR PLAN OF A MOMBASA STONE HOUSE

master bedroom

The Islamic concept of the Harem, where the privacy of family life must bemaintained and the women be kept from public view, called for a privatesphere within the house.

BUBBLE DIAGRAM SHOWING SPATIAL DISPOSITION IN A SWAHILI HOUSE

Source:www.masterbuilders.com

This concept influenced several aspects of their house designs. This is why the Daka or porch was used as a space where themaster of the house would entertain his male guests.

SLAB AND CEILING SECTION OF EARTH WALLED HOUSE FROM SLAB TO ROOF

Also no two exterior doors were directly opposite each other, and the women like in Lamu used Wikio's to move from one building to the other.

9. THICK EXTERNAL WALLS FOR DAYTIME USED SPACES AND THIN WALLS FOR NIGHT-TIME USED SPACES

High thermal mass ensures during the day the indoor temperature is below the outdoor temperature as it gains heat slowly.

Late at night until early in the morning, this heat would be released into the interior space, making the space warmer than the outside temperature.

Source:Kimanzi.J.I 2008 Thesis

Using the light wall structure, the indoor temperature will lower than the temperature of the current condition late at night and early in the morning, but it would be higher during the day. Due to the higher heat transfer coefficient and shorter time lag period of this light structure, the heat would be transmitted faster during the day i.e. from outside to the inside and at night from inside to the outside. This means that if the occupants prefer to have a cooler night while they are sleeping and a cooler morning.

Source:www.tripadvisor.com

ROOFING DETAIL

12. BALCONIES

Slabs are made of coral rag or coral lime and supported by boriti poles

3. PROJECTED CLOSED BALCONY

COVERED TERRACE

2a

1

2 3

SECTION OF A VERANDAH HOUSE IN LAMU Source:Kimanzi.J.I 2008 Thesis

2a. PROJECTED OPEN BALCONY

Source:Kimanzi.J.I 2008 Thesis

10. STRAIGHT EXTERNAL STAIRCASES 1.5M WIDE STREET UP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20R x 0.150 20G x 0.300

SHOP 3

9

SHOP 2

10

SHOP 1

SHOP 4

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

DOWN

STORAGE

S-08

UP 1 2 3

STORAGE

Used mainly in Shop Houses by residents to access the residential units upstairs.

Balcony in Zanzibar Source:www.tripadvisor.com

Balcony in Lamu Source:www.tripadvisor.com

20R x 0.150 20G x 0.350

4

Are made of coral rag supported on boriti poles and finished with lime plaster.

5 6 7 8 9

STORAGE

STORAGE

STORAGE

10 11 12 DOWN 20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

GSEducationalVersion

E-02

2. PROJECTED OPEN BALCONY

N GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200

3. PROJECTED CLOSED BALCONY Are commonly made of 200mm riser and 400mm tread

External staircase in Mombasa Source:www.safari254.com

Can be found in Old Town Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar Balconies at the coast can project into the street to almost 1.5m.

They are made mainly from teak or mvule timber with mangrove structures.

Balcony at Old Town Mombasa Post Office Source:www.tripadvisor.com External staircase in Lamu Source:www.tripadvisor.com

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

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