African Design Magazine ADM #35 November 2017 | Page 31

imported from Europe. The construction material used is an original combination of coral rag, concrete slabs, mangrove shoots or boriti, as well as steel beams. As part of this building's luxurious decoration, it is said that the Sultan kept wild animals chained up in front of the building for display. He had the building's main door made wide enough, so he could ride an elephant through. During the Anglo- Zanzibar War in 1896 August 27, the Beit al- Hukum palace was completely destroyed, while the Beit al- Sahel suffered severe damage. However, the House of Wonders only suffered minor damages, the lighthouse that used to stand right in front of the building sadly could not be saved. The palace was later reconstructed in 1896 where a new clock tower was integrated into the façade of the House of Wonders, unfortunately, Beit al-Hukum palace was not rebuilt. This site was transformed into a beautiful garden that enhanced the appeal of the House of Wonders. In 1911, the House of Wonders was transformed into government ofces and as the chief secretariat for the British governing authorities. More than ve decades later, after the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, it was again transformed into a school and museum for the then ruling Party, Afro-Shirazi, with the aid of North Korea. During 1992–1994 further museum developments were initiated. Today, Beit al- Hukum stands as the Palace Museum while the House of Wonders serves as the iconic Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and Swahili. africandesignmagazine.com 31