PROJECT BRIEF

LXR Mango House is a small luxury boutique hotel built on an existing property on the south western side of Mahé Island. The property originally belonged to Italian travel and fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, whose spacious manor house has been transformed into the hotel’s main public building.

“The project is a dream project for any architect, and at the same time, it is challenging because of its location, surrounding, and integration with nature” says Joe Tabet.

On his first site visit, Joe Tabet (the architect) informed the client that any architectural intervention would harm the environment, and at that stage Joe was at the edge of saying no to design project. However, the JT+Partners team accepted the challenge as they wanted to preserve the nature and beauty of the original site morphology and decided that the Mango House project would complete the nature and not compete with it.

Along with the environmental authorities of the Seychelles, we carefully looked at the site and identified which tree could be relocated, removed or kept, without touching the main Mango tree (which is around 150 years old – one of the oldest on the island) existing in the property

DESIGN PROCESS

The House has an electric vernaculat contemporary style bringing together local, colonial and international design. From its perch on the rocks where the tropical breeze meets the private beach, the development immerses in the dramatic location and optimizes unspoiled views across the Indian Ocean.

The stunning landscape and seascape inspire a light touch. The form of the project derives naturally from the curvature of the contour on the site with the intention that the bungalows appear to be lightly placed upon the steep rocks as well as overhanging the water’s edge. The design reflects the opulence of the required brief and takes the most advantage of the surroundings.

The buildings distribution and rotation along the site beach edge offers the widest views towards the sea for each residence.  

Some of the handmade furniture pieces have been preserved and reused in the current resort either showcased as center pieces within the new furniture or displayed as Art pieces within the public areas. The idea is to create an eclectic design approach giving a contemporary comfort yet not fully detached from the local cultural heritage. We can list the following:

1.  Original Main House entrance door: used as an art piece in front of Muse entrance
2.  Chaise longue reused as center piece table in main lobby
3. Dining table used as center piece table in Muse
4.  All the photographs in the property are images of the existing house

Along with the environmental authorities of the Seychelles, we carefully looked at the site and identified which tree could be relocated, removed or kept, without touching the main Mango tree (which is around 150 years old – one of the oldest on the island) existing in the property.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

The original name of the property is ‘Mango’ House. It is derived from One ancient Mango Tree (around 150 years old – one of the oldest on the island) existing in the property. This mango tree has been preserved and yet can be seen from the roundabout of the main house. Art pieces have been selected from local galleries on the island. 

Before starting work on site, a photographer was appointed to do a photoshoot of the original Mango House, and the photos have been used as artwork for the hotel in the guest rooms, corridors and public areas. The main door of the original house has also been used as an art piece in front of the Muse entrance.

 / SUSTAINABILITY

1-DESIGN:

• Specifications of robust materials minimizing the need for replacement
• Glazing specified to reduce internal noise pollution from external sources
• Light colors on the facade to minimize fabric heat gains
• On-site renewable solar water heating system
• Recycled waste management facilities with dedicated recycling facilities
• Reduced energy lifts
• Efficient LED light fittings
• Energy Efficiency- HVAC Equipment and Systems
• Planted roof to minimize heat gains through the roof fabric
• Local and drought-tolerant plants reducing the consumption of water
• Water efficient fittings/ sanitary equipment reduce water consumption
• Wastewater reuse for irrigation
• Careful selection of external lighting fixtures that minimize the reflection of light into the night sky
• Solar heat gain coefficient of glass of 30% or less serving to dramatically reduce solar loads while providing good views and daylight
• Increased thermal insulation reducing thermal gains through the building fabric
• Occupancy censored lighting controls to public areas to minimize energy consumption
• Building fabric to be designed to minimize air leakage

2-CONSTRUCTION:

• Modular repeated facade system reducing waste with the potential for repeat mounds and unitized
• Eliminate thermal bridges to minimize heat transfer through the structural fabric
• Materials sourced and procured locally where possible to minimize travel and sustain the local economy
• All internal materials and adhesives to be specified as low VOC content to minimize internal air pollution
• Use of recycled aggregates in the concrete frame

3-PASSIVE:

• Balconies act as self-shading devices to reduce passive solar heat gains and to minimize the cooling load. External shading devices (louvers or Perforated screens) also minimize solar heat gain
• Rooms have operable windows for natural ventilation
• All habitable spaces have a view to the outside.

COLLABORATING WITH TECHNAL

Technal was approached during Schematic Design Stage to provide the required solutions and systems for the project. Technal provided a minimalistic sliding system, LUMEAL, for the entire project. Noting that the project comprises of several components the advantages were that the LUMEAL frames come in large sizes, they have a diversity in the applications with a very high performance.

Technal are very professional and supportive. They provided the adequate solutions for the project considering the local tropical environment while considering the approved budgets. The overall experience was very satisfactory, and the results can speak for themselves.