Bagamoyo’s streetscape is marked by beautiful heritage buildings, representing different architectural styles and histories. They are the ambassadors of Bagamoyo’s human and social identity, and the foundations for a unique future.
In this research by design journey, the positive chances hidden in the old buildings are explored through the adaptive reuse of the Old Fort, as an exemplary project for the whole of Stone Town. Installing a musical cultural center for the youth of Bagamoyo, the Old Fort will feature outdoor performance spaces, large and smaller workshop rooms, an exhibition area, café, and a ‘hidden terrace’.
The ambition is to reactive the Old Fort, to reintegrate it in Bagamoyo’s community life, using only minimal interventions. The canopy, the passage and the edge make it possible to transform the existing, interiorized built complex to a musical safe haven for Bagamoyo’s young at heart whilst at the same time highlighting its ruinous charm.
Looking for a functional programme that fits the buildings spatial identity, maximising the links with its surroundings and an architectural chirurgical approach, turned out to be key strategies in this journey.
‘Having wandered through the Old Fort, time and time again, exploring it in my mind and on paper, with my pencil, I started to understand the building … even more, I fell in love with it. Originally constructed as a luxurious residential house, later on used by the representative of the Sultan of Zanzibar, to showcase his riches, wealth and power, it is now time for the Old Fort to be the ambassador of all inhabitants of Bagamoyo.’