MAISON DE PRESTIGE
1. Erok,
projet RES à Pereybère
2. Socota Phoenica,
bureaux à Phoenix
3. Subterranean Spa,
spa privé souterrain à
Londres
4. West Edge House,
villa à St Gilles, la Réunion
1
2
3
4
1. Erok,
RES Project in Pereybere
2. Socoya Phoenica,
Office Space in Phoenix
3. Subterranean Spa,
Underground Private
Spa in London
4. West Edge House,
Villa in St Gilles,
Réunion Island
A former member of the famous Ateliers Jean Nouvel in Paris,
Eric Chavoix has worked for 2 years at the Cartier Foundation for
Contemporary Art. After spending some time in New York, he settles
in Mauritius, the homeland of his mother, where he creates No Coffee
Architects and then Eric Chavoix Architects. He welcomes us in his
office, located in the heart of the island in Vacoas: a traditional Creole
house with rough lumber walls and nestled in a lush garden.
You’ve come a long way from the Ateliers Jean Nouvel to your own
architectural firm in Vacoas. Why did you choose Mauritius?
I used to come here regularly on holiday to see my family. In 1998, right
after having completed my own villa in New York, I was in search of a
healthier lifestyle. I, therefore, decided to settle in Mauritius and create
my own firm. In 3 weeks’ time, I was entrusted with 12 projects!
You define Eric Chavoix Architects as a “purely Mauritian” studio.
What do you think of the architectural evolution of the country?
There are several types of architectures in Mauritius. First, there is the
architecture of those with limited resources and who make do with their
own architectural skills. Unfortunately, the result often lacks coherence
and harmony. It should be possible to change this situation through
enhanced monitoring and support. Then, there is the architecture of
social and public buildings which is evolving but which would require
more time and money. Finally, there is the upscale architecture for private
residences or hotels, which is more aesthetic and sophisticated. Mauritian
architects are increasingly questioning their own practice, and thanks to
the Internet and to the trips that they undertake abroad, their general
knowledge on the visual level and their inspirations are constantly being
developed. We should take great care to avoid denaturing our beaches;
they are the hallmark of our island.
Mauritius plans to build Smart Cities. What is your opinion on the
matter?
I think that Smart Cities around the world constitute a very interesting
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trend. It is both fascinating and extremely dangerous to create a new
city from scratch. As we live on a small island, it is of prime importance
to seriously consider this matter. Otherwise, I fear that we might find
ourselves with places where no one will want to live. To avoid this
situation, a multidisciplinary committee of experts should be set up at
national level. The project must be a “sustainable” one in the Mauritian
context, because we cannot replicate imported designs: Mauritius is
neither South Africa nor Dubai! Finally, it is essential to place culture
and nature at the heart of our cities. These should be planned around a
green space, an opera house, a museum...
Speaking of culture, are you also working for the Porlwi by Light
festival?
I am a member of the artistic committee and it is a tremendous honour
for me to be part of this marvellous team. The energy there is incredible.
We have a beautiful capital; it deserves a new and genuine breath of life,
and needs to reclaim a nightlife and a cultural life that are proper to
all the capitals around the world. The festival is the living evidence that
investing in arts and culture in Mauritius can create wealth, income and
jobs.
What are your future projects?
On the international front, we are, among other things, working on 4
hotel and boutique hotel projects. Domestically, by the end of 2017, we
will complete the construction of 15 RES apartments for Erok, a unique
project located on the very beautiful beach of Merville in Pereybere.
There is also the new phase of the BioPark Socota Phoenicia in Phoenix
(which featured among the 30 most beautiful projects in the world for
the World Architects Award at the end of 2012). At the same time, I
am still working on some private residence projects. Be it in Europe, St
Barth, New York or Anahita, projects of this kind are always fascinating
and intimate, as they are based on continuous exchanges. They often lead
to wonderful encounters, and at the end of the day, they make up my
most beautiful experiences as an architect!