Open-air cultural pavilion canopy at Coco Beach

Coco Beach Cultural Pavilion

Location
Coco Beach, Msasani, Dar es Salaam
Year
2024
Category
Cultural Institution
Client
City of Dar es Salaam
Overview

An open-air cultural pavilion along Coco Beach designed to host exhibitions, evening markets, and public performances beneath a single sweeping shade canopy.

Design Philosophy

Coco Beach already belonged to the public before we arrived. The brief was to shelter that life, not redirect it — the canopy exists to extend the hours the beach can be used.

Gallery
Canopy lattice columns against blue sky
Timber-slat shaded walkway
Faceted pavilion roof detail
Public stairway beneath the canopy
Ribbed skylight structure
Drawings & Floor Plans
Coco Beach Cultural Pavilion floor plan
Materials
  • Perforated steel lattice canopy
  • Board-formed concrete plinths
  • Local coral limestone paving
  • Reclaimed dhow timber accents
Construction Process

The canopy's cantilevered steel lattice was fabricated off-site in sections and assembled over the beach at night to avoid disrupting daytime public use.

Final Results

The pavilion now hosts weekly evening markets and has become one of the most-photographed public spaces on the Msasani peninsula.

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