Project: Night-club

Designer: James Mbellah

Client: F. Mbowe

Financier: CRDB

Status: proposal

   It is very rear to see buildings with western culture adopt our local culture, but at this particular building, it happen. The proposed night club which reflects the Tanzanian culture will be built in Kigamboni Dar es salaam.

    The building will have exhibition hall and outdoor restaurant as supporting facilities. “Many existing nightclubs in Dar es salaam and all over Tanzania have adopted the western culture in their appearance, materials, spacial organization etc, but I wanted to create something new, a nightclub which contain our symbol as Tanzania”. James Mbellah.

   Designer wanted to integrate traditional values to the contemporary nightclub. “The building symbolizes our culture in its materials, space organizations and form and shape”. James Mbellah. The form of the building was inspired by African drums. 

   “Playing drums is the major way of entertainment in our societies, since this this building will be used for entertainment then the form adopted the drum form” James Mbellah.

   The façade of the building is cladded with Tanga stones and some spaces are covered by thatches. There are Msonge huts surrounds the building for resting. Spear and shield which are place on the openings bring the sense of culture also.

   Cultural identity continues to the interiors. Materials used are natural (timber, stones etc). In the interior facades there are Masai sculptures and Makonde carvings, all these are employed in order to give richness to the local culture. ”The spaces are organized and arranged in accordance to our culture. In this nightclub there is enough space for ngongoti dance to take place, mduara, and other cultural dances.” James Mbellah.