New High Commissioners Residence, Port Louis, Mauritius

Residence Works: The site is located on the British High Commission Compound in Floreal, Mauritius. It is an exceptional site with established gardens and currently accommodates the existing British High Commission and High Commissioner’s Residence. The project scope includes the demolition of the existing Residence* and construction of the new Residence** on the same site. It comprises a two-storey building with accommodation arranged around a central courtyard. Interleading reception rooms are situated on the ground floor and open out onto terraces, the internal courtyard and garden. Also located on this floor are a commercial kitchen and related facilities. A family living room and kitchen as well as two large en-suite bedrooms, two children’s bedrooms and an office are situated on the first floor. Wheelchair accessibility is a key client requirement, and the design includes wide corridors and an external and internal lift. Another key requirement is sustainability. The architectural design has been based on passive solar design principles and relevant tools like orientation, encouraging airflow through the building, shading of windows and walls and wall & roof insulation have been used in the design. We are working closely with BREEAM*** consultants to achieve an Excellent rating on the Residence. Reinforced concrete columns, beams, slabs and foundations will be used to construct the main frame of the building and hollow concrete blocks will be used on partition walls externally and internally. The external walls will be clad in glazed ceramic tiles with concrete details, the windows, powder coated aluminium and the roof, standing seam, zinc cladding. A proposed access road to the Residence and landscaping works are also included in the works. *Gross Internal Area of existing Residence to be demolished is approx. 770m2, including the terrace. **Net Internal Area of the proposed Residence is approximately 400m2, excluding internal courtyard, and generous covered terraces. ***BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It is a globally recognised sustainability assessment method and certification system for the built environment.