Zanzibar Architecture

Sustainable Architecture and Houses in Zanzibar

The traditional Architecture of Africa has always been sustainable. The idea of constructing buildings to adapt to the environment was one of the goals of modern architecture during the colonial times. Because of the climate, which exist in Zanzibar, hot, humid or sometimes dry climates. The colonialists’ building agendas included plans to regulate the inside climate of their buildings through both design and natural means, such as passive daylight and cross ventilation. Such buildings achieved their objectives through a variety of means: orientation, long eaves, pitched roofs with ventilation openings, shading, elevating the buildings so as to allow wind to circulate below them, and also by

The normal detail at the houses, are the stone benches either outside the house or seen in the first hallway when looking in from the main entrance door. These benches, or sitting arrangements, are called ‘Baraza’ in Kiswahili and a symbol for the rich social life in the Swahili culture. The outside Baraza benches are often found in the merchant part of Stone Town were business could both discussed and displayed openly. In the Arab houses the Baraza benches are found inside. In the more prominent Arab houses there was even a second ‘Zanzibar door’ in the hallway leading to a room where guests could be invited for more private discussions. Black and white marble tiles found on the stairs and entrance to a house is yet another sign of wealth and importance of its owner. (www.Zanzibarstonetown.org n.d.) As an example, the house of wonders which was a palace, built in 1883 for Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar, It was intended as a ceremonial palace and official reception hall, celebrating modernity, and it was named "House of Wonders" because it was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity, and also the first building of East Africa to have an elevator.

The design of the palace was with a British marine engineer and indeed its form introduced new architectural elements into the Zanzibar repertoire, including the wide external verandas supported by cast iron columns, which allowed for uniquely high

One of these recent programs include formalization of properties in unplanned settlements (a program known in Kiswahili as MKURABITA), The world Bank is implementing Community Infrastructure Upgrading in parts of the major cities, and is transforming the National Housing Corporation to deliver as master developer initiative. ((MP) 2012) Some programs aim to provide subsidized rental accommodation to low-income households, generally in multi-unit buildings in central urban areas. While there were municipal council flats in the apartheid era, social housing options have not until recently figured strongly in the national low-cost housing program. (goebel