As the only resort on Desroches Island, Seychelles, the intention was to create an escape into the rustic, laidback nature of a secluded island with this intimate 40-key Four Seasons Resort. We wanted this island resort to look better with age, to develop a patina, and we kept this in mind from the architectural details to the soft furnishing. Our design had to fit the tropical climate when we selected materials. We drew inspiration from African aesthetics such as tribal crafts, black & white patterns and bold use of colours. We believe in the appeal of homestay vacations. Every home is different because it exudes the characteristics of the host. We wanted to evoke the feel of visiting a private estate, to marvel in the curation of the host – eclectic but seemed right when put together. We also worked with experts from the Island Conservation Society to preserve the principles of ecotourism. With machine precision techniques absent, hand built aesthetics became a necessity. Hand rendered plastering, solid wood construction in lieu of veneer carpentry, beauty of manual concrete casting and the imperfections left behind by hand built formwork are celebrated as the design intent.
