INCOPORATING SWAHILI SPACE PLANNING IN DESIGN OF MUKURU REHABILITATION CENTRE

Design Culture attempts to draw designers back into understanding culture and drawing authentic
inspirations from culture and using them to create better designs that have value and bring about
new design experiences to a world marred with acculturation. Interior design is one of the most
functional mediums through which designers can communicate this and effectively give a new
understanding to design interaction. The main objective of the paper was to investigate how
cultural design using the aspects of the Swahili culture: color and patterns, can be applied in the
interior and exterior spaces at Mukuru Rehabilitation Centre to facilitate the appreciation of
Swahili culture while at the same time improving the experience of users. This qualitative research
took Mukuru Rehabilitation Centre as a case study with the key areas of interest being interior
design, furniture design, exhibition and display and landscape architecture.
The research approach employed for this study was qualitative. Data collection techniques
included non-participant observation, photography and a field study was conducted to determine
current state of Mukuru Rehabiliation Centre . The researcher also reviewed literal publication and
productions from renowned designers and authors to develop a scope on the existing and nonexisting
literature. Data was analyzed in a descriptive manner including a narrative thereafter
drawing conclusions. Tables and photographs were used to present the issues that were observed
and finally recommendations were drafted towards developing sustainable and culturally based
restaurant and rehab interiors that could marry with the surrounding environment. Although there
were many opportunities for exploring cultural influences in rehab interiors; there were several
barriers that prevented this from taking place including limited time frame and lack of funds to
make adequate trips to the site whenever need arose.