African project:
Eden Bleu Hotel
The Eden Bleu Hotel on the island of the same name in the Seychelles is brand
new, having only been completed in November 2014.
T
he hotel itself is designed in a
traditional, plantation-house style that
harks back to the island’s British and
French colonial roots. Vivid Architects,
headed up by Paolo Viotti, were
responsible for the design, while the
interiors were done by Source Interior
Brand Architects.
The welcoming, palm-lined entrance
leads into an airy reception area beyond which a
sun deck and infinity pool offer captivating views
over Eden Island’s international marina and Mahé’s
granitic mountains. The 74 deluxe rooms, 12 luxury
suites and presidential suite provide views of the
marina and Eden Island.
African Design Magazine chatted to Evon SmutsRogers, the Source IBA director on the project who
has overseen the interior architecture and design
of the Eden Island residential development of
apartments, maisons and villas since 2005.
What was the brief?
Smuts-Rogers: The brief was to provide a hotel
experience that was part of the Eden Island ethos yet
distinctive as a boutique short-stay venue, establishing
a unique niche in the Indian Ocean hospitality offerings.
The hotel was to be definitively Seychellois yet interpret
the colonial/Arabic/African heritage in a skilful, nonethnic design aesthetic. The hotel was to be based as
much as feasible on sustainable resource usage and
capitalise on the abundance of breathtaking views and
soft tropical breezes. Air conditioning is offered while
fans and white linen drapery make the natural breeze
a preference. The ambiance was to be relaxed, island
contemporary while being subtly but utterly ‘connected’
digitally, making it the first hotel in the Seychelles to
maximize connectivity in the guest experience.
The scope of the project was 87 “keys”/guestrooms
including Presidential and 12 luxury suites on three
floors above the gardens and public areas offering bar,
restaurant and lounge, all opening onto landscaped
terraces and pool, rimmed by the Eden Island Marina
just beyond. In addition, a 340m2 conference facility
is featured, able to seat 340 in theatre-style and 240 in
banquet-style, offering the latest in digital screens and
communication. The conference hall is complemented
by four boardroom-style meeting rooms.
Were there any issues or challenges on the project?
Smuts-Rogers: Designing in a tropical environment
is pleasant but always poses the challenges of a warm
ocean environment with it high humidity, corrosion
of metal and changes of season. (In the Seychelles
the prevailing wind blows from north to south half of
the year and south the north during the other half!)
Our preference for finishes became lightly-worn
timber contrasted with dark-sealed timber, natural
stone and coated aluminium with furniture favouring
woven surfaces and light fabric which could ‘breathe’.
Colours favoured the white of the pure Seychelles
sand, the rich warm greys of the granite cliffs and the
soft pastels of the tropical sea and sunset.
To engage the guest with the lush climate, each
guestroom has a generous furnished veranda under
cover, full height/ width sliding glass doors, linen
curtains to temper the breeze/sun and ceiling fans for
those favouring natural air conditioning.
Noticeable features include the view upon arrival
through the Hotel to the turquoise waters of the
Marina and beyond to the granite cliffs of Mahe’
beyond; the quadruple volume of the foyer and the
first floor bridge spanning the space and the luxurious
guestrooms with the open bathroom and fine finishes.
What is the theme of the hotel?
Smuts-Rogers: Relaxed Seychelles with first world
connectivity. This led to a style that is natural, pastel,
cool, founded on the materials and colours found
in the Seychelles. The furniture is contemporary
but comfortable with playful adaptations of island
favourites. AD
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