Residence on the Rocks         Takamaka
(in close proximity to the 5-star Banyan Tree Resort)
 

Design and Architecture

LOCATION

South Mahe, Intendance Bay


Some 100 yards, as the crow flies, uphill from the last hill villa of The Banyan Tree Luxury Resort on a special access road which will serve the residential area is Residence on the Rocks.

The two storey main house is on a relatively flat portion of the site with large granite/rock formation providing privacy on either side.

The guest house and the large pool are on elevated concrete decks in front and just below the rock formations.

All areas have a fantastic view of Intendance Bay and the breaking waves can be easily heard.

DESIGN AND LAY OUT

The two storey main building has a central court yard separating the upstairs bedroom/downstairs lounge part from the upstairs bedroom/downstairs dining room kitchen section.

There is a separate guest house some 30 yards to the side of the central pool.

The design is Creole in nature with some 450m² of covered area. The main building and guest house are surrounded in front and on the side with the typical Creole style flat roofed veranda in a colonnade design

Opposite the guest house, on the other side of the pool, on a granite rock, there is a gazebo/sala, which can be used for outdoor dining but also for massages.

In a rock cave  next to the Gazebo there is a large Jacuzzi which gets its water supply from the main pool.

The pool is of the infinity/overflow design on three sides and on the southern end the pool is encompassing a granite wall.

LAYOUT

The three bedrooms are all large. Two have a king size master bed and the third one is a twin with one king and one queen size bed. The master bedroom has a large dressing room adjacent to the bathroom and an elevated work/study area.

There is a fully equipped kitchen/dining room downstairs.

The main lounge (below the master bedroom) has an elevated library entertainment section. One of the granite walls protrudes into this room.

Below the guest house there is a utility/room service area which will also serve as the temporary butler accommodation.

The above provides for an expansive outdoor living area surrounded by large granite rock formations and a high perimeter wall providing absolute privacy and exclusivity.

STYLE AND FINISHING

Creole Style is considered a blend of many cultures: French, Chinese African, Indian and English. This theme was taken into consideration in importing a range of materials for the interior finishing.

• The main feature is the 16 large/old Haveli/Palace doors which were brought in form India and since they were of slightly different sizes the walls had to be "built" around them. These French doors combined with the heavy insulation of the roof areas allow for a constant breeze to flow through all parts and for comfortable living conditions even without the AC units being activated.
• The floors are all of recycled old Burma teak.
• The colonial metal windows were imported from Kenya
• The cast iron rail was acquired in Burma
• Many of of the furniture pieces are antique British colonial items imported from India and Burma
• All carpets were woven in and bought from traditional tribal village cooperatives in Northern India

Most of the decor items were collected by the owners over a period of 30 years in Central Africa and South East Asia and include valuable tribal/ethnic art pieces.

The objective was to create the colonial splendour of the 20s and 30s . This has been achieved through the choice of materials, décor and furnishings. As such a stay in Residence on the Rocks also represents a nostalgic experience.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Seychelles as a destination has a reputation for its unspoilt nature. The residence was built trying to live up to the islands image and minimally impacts the immediate environment.

The large rocks were incorporated into the building and no large trees were cut. In some cases they were also incorporated as part of the building structure.

Energy consumption is kept low by supplying hot water through a solar panel system built into the roofs (the arrival of hot water at the faucet being a little slower than with conventional designs). Heat exchangers use the AC units at night to heat the water in the boilers.

A 50 000 gallon water tank is fed by rain water collected from all the roof areas which goes through three special filter systems including an infrared one. (Only if rain water runs out will the system switch to the hotel's desalinated water supplies.)

All timber used is recycled material from India, that is items recovered from old buildings which were taken down.

All roof areas are double insulated and there is minimal heat radiation via the roofs keeping the required AC load to a minimum.

LED lights and other power saving light fixtures are deployed throughout.

The AC units in the bedrooms are linked to motion sensors and will switch off if there is no movement (no occupancy of the room) for more then 20 min.

The overall design incorporates maximum energy efficiency measures without affecting the expected comfort level.


The residence is meant to offer a well thought out life style experience which benefits from the 'en suite' five star hotel and its facilities and which will hopefully take a stay  way beyond a more traditional hotel experience.
 

Services

The Banyan Tree Seychelles manages and services the residence:

Standard Services

• Housekeeping services include daily sheet changes and turn down services
• Gardening and pool maintenance
• Room service
• Guest bathroom supplies
• Pick up by electromobile for visit to hotel facilities
• Telephone/extensions to the hotel
• Security patrols/CCTV system
• Private butler 8 hours a day
• Nanny  services and private chefs upon request

Other facilities

• Satellite/TV and stereo/two rooms with Dolby Surround
• Each room with safe and hair dryer
• Access to all restaurants, bars, the spa, the hotel pool, the Gym as well as tennis court
• Wireless Internet

Check in and check out is handled by the hotel in the standard fashion requiring a credit card imprint upon check in.

If you wish to view yet more pictures please click on the following links:
General Pictures
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Lounge & Dining