lukmaan restaurant

open restaurant expansion for the historic restaurant of Lukmaan
stone town - zanzibar 2014

 

The project consists in the creation of an open restaurant at Mkunazini baobao.

 

 

Located in a dynamic street of Stone Town, the site is already partially built. Indeed, the edges of the plot have been used for com- mercial purpose with a slender construction divided into several small shops. But above all, the plot is mainly characterized by the presence of a baobab, an emble- matic tree for the town that needs to be preserved during all construction’s process.

The new construction will function as an extension of the existing and well known restaurant Lukmaan located five meters next to the site. Composed by several kitchen spaces and a sitting area, the pro- ject includes the existing building as a part of the design in order to reach an harmo- nious whole.

The concept of the project places a particular attention on the preservation and the emphasis of the baobab. Each architectural gesture is done with a minimum of impact for the site especially for the surrounding of the tree.

First of all, the current gable roof structure of the existing commercial building is removed to create a flat roof accessible for the customers and to minimize its height, a necessary gesture for the health of the tree due to the proximity of the building with it. 

Then, several wooden platforms of different levels are created around the base of the trunk allowing the future customers to access progressively to the roof terrace and offering also a quiet sitting area under the shadow of the tree. The choice of a light structure (timber frame) easily removable is a coherent choice strengthening the main concept.

Facing the wooden platforms, several secondary cooking areas are created combining concrete and wood materials. Starting from the main entrance by the main counter used to host the customers, the furnitures are following a straight line leading the customer to the main kitchen area at the back of the site. This organization enhances fluency and efficiency by separating clearly the food preparation from the consumption.

The existing building, still under construction, offers already space for a closed kitchen. This part after renovation includes small changes. New openings are created to offer a visual perspective on a part of the kitchen and the toilets are moved to the other side, at the inner corner of the site.

Two public entrances are created, the main one is marked by a concrete modernist arch along the Mkunazini street and the other one is facing the existing back door of Lukmaan restaurant.

In order to create a nice and relaxing area, different gardens will be created on the site.