2021 African Property Awards

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La Balise Marina is a development under the IRS – Integrated Resort Scheme for non-Mauritians, and is the only IRS on the island that is part of a marina. The scheme has been developed on ±12.5 Hectares of freehold land at the estuary of Black River. The developer’s intent was to ensure that the architecture and landscaping resulted in a development sympathetic to the natural coastal setting and avoid, as much as possible, any overpowering architecture that would dominate the landscape.

The design concept emphasises architectural simplicity, human scale and vertical proportions, traditional plan form, harmony, refined details and natural colours. The intention was to develop a unique cohesive architectural character as an appropriate response to the environment and setting. This was promoted with the use of natural stone, timber and other building materials throughout the development. Earthy and natural tones were chosen to allow buildings to merge with the landscape and create a development that complimented the environment rather than contrasted with it.The design concept was aimed at an elegance and simplicity to create the ideal marina lifestyle for a modern society.

The development also incorporated “green” ecologically sound measures including solar water-heating for all the houses, on-site sewage treatment using rotating biological contactor technology (bacteria), re-using grey water for irrigation, energy-efficient LED lights and a plentiful use of zero emission natural materials like timber and stone. The mouth of the estuary which had silted up over many decades was dredged and deepened which has encouraged various types of aquatic fauna to flourish in the marina environs including the basins themselves.