A Coastal Hostel

Tongji Uni, Fall 2023
Mombasa, Kenya
Prof. Zhou Minghao
Individual Work

This studio project is a collaboration between Tongji Uni versity and the Technical University of Mombasa in Africa. After thoroughly studying the local culture and geographi cal conditions, I decided to build a youth hostel on the site. It aims not only to provide additional accommodation and alleviate the hotel shortage in the area but also to serve as a bridge between the residents of the old town and tourists.

Mombasa is a small coastal city in Kenya, with an old town that holds significant conservation value. The local archi tecture heavily relies on the existing climate and geograph ical conditions, such as monsoons and various building materials. These factors influence the unique form and structure of the local buildings. Our design attempts to create a localized youth hostel based on these principles.

The design incorporates two essential elements of tra ditional Swahili houses: the corridor and the courtyard. These elements organize the architectural space. Corridors and courtyards appear throughout the design in various scales and types, creating a rich and unified experience. The sea, which plays a crucial role in Mombasa’s history, is also a significant feature in the architecture. The building offers nu merous vantage points to appreciate the sea and ultimately interacts directly with it. People can walk from the street to the hostel’s long corridor, gradually approaching the sea, and reconnecting with nature.

A Coastal Hostel

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