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The Shaza, located on the white sandy beaches of Shanzu in Mombasa, is an upcoming development which will have 76 luxury apartments, with each room having a beachside view of the turquoise warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
It bears a Swahili architectural concept borrowed from the rich historical coastal influences that blend Arabic, Asian, Hindu, Bantu and Portuguese cultures. “We have created a resort that merges indigenous traditional Swahili craftsmanship with contemporary functionality,” says Arnold Deche, the architect who designed the project.
The interiors are designed and sourced by Belgium interior architect, Sara Van Puyvelde. The tastefully fitted and lavishly furnished materials and artefacts are from Kenya, Europe and Morocco and have utilised local talent to install.
Lamu doors
The Swahili hospitality welcomes one at the Lamu-made door. The exquisitely crafted door frames command respect and admiration as they are intricately handcrafted by talented artisans from the Kenyan Coast. Internal doors are made from solid mahogany wood, with most of the light coming in through the aluminum sliding doors in the balconies.
The rooms are spacious, with floors finished using porcelain tiles. In line with current European trends, the designer has used a toned down natural light colour scheme punctuated with stone finishes to create a luxurious contemporary cosmopolitan ambiance.
Large windows
To allow in maximum light and ventilation, windows and doors are floor-to-ceiling. Though made from aluminum, the windows, which are either rectangular or dome-shaped Arabic style, have a high quality wooden-look finish, which gives them a warm appearance.
To link the exteriors with the interiors, all rooms provide a view to the sea, with special attention given to the master bedroom where one can view the breathtaking warm waters of the Indian Ocean from the comfort of a mosaic tiled hot water jet jacuzzi.
The penthouses have an open-sky shower cubicle where one can take a bath while enjoying the weather elements such as coastal sunshine, rainfall and the moon. Hanging on plastic non-corrosive curtain rails are high-end handwoven Moroccan curtains, which add an exotic Arabic touch to the rooms. Their semi-light weight fabric provide privacy when needed yet are light enough to breath during the hot coastal climate.
Kitchens
The Shaza apartments are equipped with contemporary Italian Snaidero kitchens providing aesthetics, functionality and ergonomics. Built for safety, the cookers only come on when the pots are placed. Walls are finished with porcelain wall tiles while a kitchen island serves as a breakfast table for quick-on-the-go meals.
High level and low level cabinets are made from humidity-proof boards to withstand the coastal humidity and hence will not expand. An extractor hood ensures the kitchen scents and food aromas are efficiently absorbed.
Worktops are made from quartz, which is an easy-to-clean non-porous hard rock and all taps are non-corrosive chrome coated. “The challenge with coastal construction development is the high corrosion due to the high salinity and humidity levels. All interior finishes must therefore be of high quality to prevent finishes from rusting,” explains interior architect, Van Puyvelde.
Bedroom
An arched headboard catches one’s attention in the master bedrooms. According to the clerk of works, Stanley Theuri, the headboards are masonry plastered and are made by an artisan from the Kenyan Coast. A repeat pattern artwork is designed on it and finished off with a varnish to protect it from scratches. For storage dressing, mirror cabinets, wardrobes, desks and a luggage point help to keep the rooms clutter-free.
Living room
In the living room, a mosaic textured accent wall made from coral bears a vivid reminder of the surrounding coastal region and visibly reinforces The Shaza, a Swahili word for coral. An inbuilt elongated cushioned baraza seat is a replica of typical wooden seats used by the coastal people where they sit and hold long communal conversations as they snack on masala tea with mahamris on a lazy hot afternoon.
Carefully selected decorative Arab-styled linens, mirrors, paintings and artefacts are strategically placed and help to accentuate and hold the Swahili theme together to create a holiday luxury home for those with an eye for finer things.
Photos: Wangeci Kanyeki and courtesy
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