The sugar estate of Beau Séjour, located in the village of Piton, holds a rich history that reflects the past glory of Mauritius’ sugar industry. The area remains steeped in heritage, with notable landmarks such as the Beau Séjour colonial house, 1970s office buildings and garages, mature tree gardens, Hindu temples, mango groves, and remnants of old machinery.

The site, once a workers’ quarter surrounded by mango trees, was built using masonry stone and lime. In designing the project, our aim was to preserve its rural charm. We restored parts of the existing building walls, reinstated slanted stone boundary walls, and conserved as many of the ancient mango trees as possible.

The entrance to the development is defined by a striking reflective water feature, where an old agricultural locomotive, reclaimed from the factory garage, takes center stage. As residents and visitors approach, they drive along a curved road that hugs the water feature, with the vibrant red locomotive creating a memorable focal point. This journey sets the tone for the character and heritage of the neighborhood, blending rural charm with thoughtful design.

To enhance the rural aesthetic, we avoided asphalt for the access roads. Instead, we used concrete strips with grass in between, which also serve as footpaths and natural drains, eliminating the need for conventional concrete drainage systems. This approach not only maintains a natural visual appeal but also reduces heat radiation typically associated with asphalt.

The project comprises 20 standalone and semi-detached modular houses of varying types and sizes. Buyers have the flexibility to choose a base layout without a garage or a fourth bedroom upstairs, with the option to add these features later.

A unique design element we developed for this project is a sugarcane-inspired motif. This pattern is featured on the main gate paneling and as a decorative “wall tattoo” on the Tyrolean-rendered walls, creating a distinct identity for the development.