4

ARCHITECTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PLANNING

4.1

DESIGNPHILOSOPHY

4.1.1

ArchitecturalConcept
Theprojectsiteiswheretheexistingsea,beach,riverallmingletoimpartaunique
tropical feeling. The architectural concept has aimed at combining coupling and
blendingadynamicandmodernconceptwiththetropicalfeeling.
The overall approach is to allow for an exclusive modern family oriented hotel
facilityblendedwithinthenaturalenvironment.Thereforetobeconsistentwiththis
concept,theexistingecologicalconditionswillbesustainedthroughtheutilization
ofgreendesignasfaraspossibleandpracticable.
Toachievesustainabledesigngoalsandprotecttheecosystem,emphasisislaidon
a commitment to reduce resource demands using natural, ambient lighting and
naturalventilationsystems.
Within this context, the hotel setup comprises of a central Yshaped building of
GF+2configurationwithinwhichmostoftheamenitiesandallthebedroomswill
besituated.Thissetuphasbeenselectedduetothefactthatthesitepossessesa
triangular form which narrows at the northern apex and broadens towards the
southern boundary. Furthermore, the site being compact, all the hotel activities
havebeenconcentratedinthemiddle,withtheaimofrespectingthe16msetback
fromtheriverandtherequiredboundarysetbacks.
Finally,beinggiventhatthesiteislocatedinland,at75metresfromtheHWM,by
focusing on a central building, it has possible to fully exploit the 81.21metre line
beyondwhichGF+2configurationisallowedasperthePPG.
Thehotelaccommodationfacilitieswillofferdifferentgradesofhotelbedroomsto
respond to the needs of an essentially familyoriented niche market. As such,
standardrooms,familyrooms,suitesandfamilysuitestotallingto140roomswillbe
availabletocaterforabroadrangeofdemandandtaste.
Thehotelwillalsobegearedtowardsaccommodatingfilmshootingcrewssincethe
setupmakesprovisionforfilmstudioandallnecessarysupportinglogistics,which
isafirstofitskindconstitutinganinnovativeidea.
For the appreciation of the architectural design and its general underlying
approach,thereaderisreferredtotheperspectiveofthehotelresortenclosedat
Annex4AattheendofSection4.

4.1.2

VastuShastraConcept
Particular care shall be taken to ensure that the location and orientation of the
hotel components, mainly the mechanical and electrical main plant rooms are
incorporatedinlinewiththeVastuShastraconcept.

4.1.3

AncillaryFilmRelatedConcept
Inlinewiththeconditionsoftheleaseagreement,thehotelsetupwillalsoinclude
ancillaryfilmrelatedactivitiesbyincorporatingafilmstudio.
AssuchthehotelprojectcansupporttheMauritiusFilmDevelopmentCorporation
and the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation whose vision and mission is to foster
and stimulate audience and participation in films. In this respect, the promoter
SharmaLtdcancontributethroughitsexpertiseby:
(a)

OrganizingFilmFestivals

(b)

Invitingesteemedcelebritiestoattendthefestivalannuallyandengagewith
audience

(c)

Usingthestudioforspecialscreeningsspeciallygearedtothehotelresidents

(d)

Usingthestudioforinteractionofpresswiththefilmingcrews

Itistobenotedthatthoseactivitiesneednotbecarriedoutexclusivelyatthehotel
but may take place in other forums in conjunction with the Mauritius Film
DevelopmentCorporationandtheMBC.
4.2

ARCHITECTURALPROJECTLAYOUT
ThehotelprojectcomprisingofacentralYshapedblock,GF+2configuration,will
beallocatedasfollows:
Thehotelwillcompriseof:

140bedroomslocatedatthefirstandsecondfloorsoftheYshapeddblock

Public areas such as dropoff zone, arrival/entrance lobby, reception area,

shops,frontofhouseoffices

Leisureareasincludingspa,fitnesscentre,filmstudio

Externalareasembracingswimmingpoolincludingkidspool,kidsclub,mini
club,etc.

FoodandBeverageareas:restaurants,bars,etc.

Backofhouseservicessuchaskitchen,pantry/linen,stafffacilities

Technical area encompassing sewage treatment plant, desalination plant,

garbagearea,compostingarea,waterstoragereservoiretc.

The Massing Layout Plan showing the positioning of the different components of
thehotelisenclosedatAnnex4BattheendofSection4.
4.3

DRIVEWAYENTRANCE
The driveway entrance will lead onto a dropoff zone and entrance lobby which
givesaccess to thereception lounge. The driveway branches off from the existing
accessroadwhichis3.0metreswide.

TheaccessroadtothehotelsitebranchesofffromtheArsenalTombeauBayRoad
B40andrunsoveranapproximatedistanceof100metrestilltheprojectsite.
The driveway links to the car park which has a capacity of 80parking lots. The
parkingareas willbepavedandproperlylandscapedwithfullygrownandmature
trees.
4.3.1

Security
AsshownontheMassingLayoutPlanenclosedatAnnex4B,asecuritykioskwillbe
locatedattheentry/exitwayforthecontrolofincomingandoutgoingcars,aswell
as to provide accommodation to the security guards who will be present at the
hotelsiteroundtheclock.

4.4

YSHAPEDCENTRALBUILDING
TheYshapedcentralbuilding,designedtobeGF+2configurationwillencompass
mostoftheamenitiesatthedifferentlevels,asexplainedbelow.

4.4.1

BasementFloor
ThebasementofthebuildingwillencompasstheM&Eareawhichwillincludethe
controlroom,boilers,stores,spareparts,workshop,etc.
ThebasementlayoutplanofthemainbuildingisenclosedatAnnex4Cattheendof
Section4.

4.4.2

GroundFloor
Thegroundfloorofthebuildingwillincorporate:

Public areas of 438m2, integrating arrival/entrance lobby, reception area,

frontofhouseoffices,shops

Leisureareasincludingspa,fitnesscentre,filmstudio

FoodandBeverageareas:restaurants,bars,etc.

ThegroundfloorlayoutplanofthemainbuildingisenclosedatAnnex4Dattheend
ofSection4.
4.4.3

FirstandSecondFloors
Thefirstandsecondfloorsofthebuildingwillencompassthe140Nohotelrooms,
allocatedassuch:
FirstFloor:70Norooms
SecondFloor:70Norooms

ThelayoutsofthefirstandsecondfloorsofthemainbuildingareenclosedatAnnex
4Eattheendofthissection.

4.5

PUBLICAREAS
Thepublicareabuildingwillwelcomeguestsintoareceptionhall.Asoneentersthe
receptionlobby fromthedropoff zone,theopen, exposed structuralelements of
thearchitecturewillallowforaviewoutoveraninfinitypool,flankedbyfirstclass
hospitalityvenues.
After checkin at the reception counter, the guests will either proceed to either
elevatorsorstaircasestotheirrooms.
Atthehotel,guestswillliveandmovethroughcoolandinvitingspacessituatedin
the most exquisite natural surroundings, which will leave them with a lasting
impressionofaplushandopulentlifestyleasenduringasthememoryofMauritius.

4.5.1

EntranceLobby/Reception
Theentrancelobby,situatedrightnexttothedropoffzone,willofferconvenient,
attractive and controlled access for guests and visitors from the hotel approach
parking to the reception lounge and other public areas. It constitutes the entry
pointtothehotel'spublicareas.
The reception area will constitute a pleasant and efficient registration area for
guests, providing keys, mail, information and cashier services. The reception desk
staff confers regularly with the frontofhouse office staff about reservations and
with the switchboard operators for telephone messages. The reception area is
providedwithahallforgeneralcirculation,andfortransitstorageofgroupluggage
beforeitistakentotherespectiveallocatedrooms.
TheentrancelobbyandreceptionareacanbeobservedontheMassingLayoutPlan
enclosedatAnnex4BattheendofSection4.

4.5.2

FrontofHouse
The frontofhouse offices will provide office space for processing hotel
reservations, the payment of guests accounts, and other related frontoffice
business.Telephone,fax,telex,postoffice,mailservicesandphotocopyingservices
for the convenience of the guests will be offered at the frontoffice desk and the
adjoiningoffices.

4.5.3

FilmStudio
Thefilmstudio,ofarea376m2,willbeequippedwithluminairegrids,toservefilm
unitsaswellaslocalstudiobasedprogramsandbroadcastcontent.Theadvantage
of a grid lighting system is that it can also serve for stage shows and board
meetings.
Drop down projection screens on either wall will serve the purposes of film
screeningsaswellaspowerpointpresentations
Acousticpartitionsandoperablepanelwallswillensurethatthespaceasandwhen
neededgetsdividedintotwoexclusiveunits
Folding floor seating will enable wooden floor sheets to cover the seating area
whenthefloorisbeingusedforshootandbroadcastcontent

Thelayoutofthefilm studiocanbeseen ontheMassingLayoutPlanenclosedat

Annex4BattheendofSection4.
4.6

FOOD&BEVERAGEAREAS
Thefoodandbeverageareaswillinclude:

4.6.1

MainRestaurantandBuffer

FineDiningRestaurant

Poolbar

RestaurantandBuffet
Thediningrestaurant locatedat the groundfloorofthecentralbuildingwilloffer
gracious,elegantandcomfortablediningroomsofseatingcapacityoftheorderof
200pax.
The main restaurant and terrace will be among the first choice spot to enjoy the
breathcatchingviewoverthecoastline.
The layout of the main dining restaurant can be observed on the Ground Floor
LayoutPlanofMainBuildingdrawingenclosedatAnnex4DattheendofSection4.

4.6.2

PoolBar
The pool bar, adjacent to the swimming pool and play pool, will provide a
comfortable and friendly area for the consumption of alcoholic and nonalcoholic
beverages.Itwillofferthefacilityofservingbeverageseitherdirectlytothepublic
ortovisitors,providingacapacityfor16pax.
As guests relax in their long chairs at the pool side, the charming hotel staff will
spoilandpamperthemfromthepoolbarandthemainrestaurant.

4.7

LEISUREAREAS

4.7.1

Spa
Setwithinthetranquilenvironmentofalushgarden,thespawillbearejuvenating
and relaxing affirmation to the guests of the Mauritius famed and much loved
islandlife. The spa, of area 293m2, has been located towards the northern part,
away from the public areas and closer to the river, and hence benefits from the
relaxingflowingwater.Theguestsatthespawillenjoymassage,sauna,steambath
andfacilities.
ThespaareaisshownontheMassingLayoutPlanenclosedatAnnex4Battheend
ofSection4.

4.7.2

FitnessCentre
A gym of area 103m2 (as shown on drawing enclosed at Annex 4B) has been
includedinthehoteldesignforguestswishingtokeepfit.

4.7.3

KidsClub
Akidsclubofarea424m2hasbeenprovidedtoallowparentstofullyenjoyhotel
leisureandpremiseswithpeacefulmindastheirchildrenwillbetakeninchargeby
thestaffatthekidscorner,locatedtowardsthewesternhotelboundary.

4.8

HOTELROOMS
The 140No bedrooms positioned at the first and second floors of the Yshaped
building (as shown on drawing enclosed at Annex 4E) will benefit breathcatching
viewontoTombeauBayandLeGouletlagoon.Theallocationofroomsisasfollows:
FirstFloor:70Nobedrooms
SecondFloor:70Nobedrooms

Theroomswillbeaccessedeitherusingelevatorsorstaircases.
4.8.1

RoomType
Fourtypesofroomswillbeproposedtotheguests:

52NoStandardRoomsTypeA

10NoStandardRoomsTypeB

50NoStandardFamilyRooms

20NoFamilySuites

8NoSuites

Thetypicalfloorlayoutplanofstandardroom,familyroom,familysuiteandsuite
hasbeenenclosedatAnnex4FattheendofSection4.

4.8.1.1 Standard Rooms A & B

Each standard room A and B, of respective gross area 35.5m2 and 32.5m2 will
compriseof:

entrypassage/lobby

bedroomequippedwithdoublesizebed

TV/leisurearea

bathroomcomprisingofshowerandtoilet

privateterrace

The hotel will be providing 62No Standard Rooms, which represents 44% of the
totalhotelcapacity.

4.8.1.2 Standard Family Room

Eachstandardfamilyroom,ofgrossarea39.9m2,willcompriseof:

entrylobby

masterbedroomequippedwithdoublesizebed

kidsbedroomequippedwith2Nosinglebeds

TV/leisurearea

bathroomcomprisingofshowerandtoilet

privateterrace

Thehotelwillbeproviding50Nofamilystandardrooms,accountingfor36%ofthe
totalhotelcapacity.

4.8.1.3 Family Suite

Eachfamilysuite,ofgrossarea53.9m2,willcompriseof:

entrylobby

ensuitemasterbedroomequippedwithdoublesizebed

ensuitekidsbedroomequippedwith2Nosinglebeds

TV/leisurearea

privateterrace

Thehotelwillbeproviding20Nofamilystandardrooms,accountingfor14%ofthe
totalhotelcapacity.

4.8.1.4 Suite
Eachsuite,ofgrossarea54.8m2,willcompriseof:

entrylobby

ensuitemasterbedroomequippedwithdoublesizebed

ensuitekidsbedroomequippedwith2Nosinglebeds

TV/living/leisurearea

toilet

privateterrace

The hotel will be providing 8No family standard rooms, accounting for 6% of the
totalhotelcapacity.
4.8.2

RoomInterior
Therooms,irrespectiveofthetypes,willbepleasing,functional,easilymaintained,
wellventilatedandilluminatedoffering:

LCDTVwithremotecontrol

Minibar

MiniSafe

Tea/coffeemakingset

Telephone

Keycarddoorlocking

The guest rooms will normally provide comfortable, functional and pleasant
bedroomlivingspacesforguests.Theywillbeprovidedwithgoodqualityfinishes,
modernanddecorativefurnitureandaccessories.
4.8.3

BedroomAllocation
ThebedroomsallocationisasshownbelowinTable41.
Table41:BedroomAllocation

Standard
Room

Standard
FamilyRoom

Family
Suite

Suite

Total

NoofRooms

62

50

20

140

OccupantperRoom

124

200

80

16

420

TotalGuests
4.8.4

RooflineofGuestRoomBlocks
TheArchitecthasdesignedthecentralYshapedbuildinginGF+2configuration.
The front elevation of the bedroom blocks has been so designed as to create
architecturallyappealingdiscontinuousrooflines,matchingwitheachother.
ElevationofthemainbuildinghasbeenenclosedatAnnex4GattheendofSection
4.
SectionsofthemainbuildingareenclosedatAnnex4Hattheendofthissection.

4.9

SERVICEAREAS

4.9.1

BackofHouseArea
The back of house area has been positioned at two levels, basement and ground
flooroftheYshapedmainbuilding,towardsitseasterntipascanbeobservedfrom
theMassingLayoutPlanenclosedatAnnex4Battheendofthissection.
Thebasementofthebackofhouse(enclosedatAnnex4C)willcompriseof:
Linen/Laundry
M&Eworkshops
Hotwaterplantroom
MEPEngineeringcontrolroom
EngineeringStores
CarpentryWorkshop

Thegroundfloorofthebackofhouse(enclosedatAnnex4D)willencompass:
Kitchen
StoreroomsandFreezers
MessandChangingRooms

 GarbageArea
Deliveryyard

4.9.2

TechnicalArea
AscanbeseenfromtheMassingLayoutPlanenclosedatAnnex4B,thetechnical
areahasbeenpositionedtowardsthesoutheasternboundaryofthesiteandwill
beaccessedfromthemainentranceleadingtoaseparateservicerouteandgiving
ontoaserviceyard.
Thetechnicalyardwillencompass:
(a)

M&EArea:waterstorage,pumproom,transformerroom,generator,etc.

(b)

Sewagetreatmentplant

(c)

DesalinationPlant

(d)

CompostingArea

ThelayoutofthetechnicalyardcanbeobservedontheTechnicalAreaLayoutPlan
enclosedatAnnex4Iattheendofthissection.
4.9.3

SewageTreatmentPlant
The sewage treatment plant will be located within the technical yard, away from
thepublicareasandthebedrooms.

4.9.4

ComponentsatServiceArea
Thetwolevelserviceareaswillcompriseofthefollowing:
Kitchen

Storeroomand
Freezers

Forthepreparation,cookinganddistributionoffood
and beverages to the public eatingplaces and by
room service to the guest rooms, and for dish
washing.Thekitchenwillalsoincludeaplaceforthe
prospective preparation of all pastries and baking of
bread and rolls. The kitchen, being the heart and
lung of the cateringservices, hasbeen placed close
totherestaurantandatthesamelevel.
To provide secure storage of all food and beverage
distributedinthehotel.
All food and beverage deliveries are checked and
weighed at the offloading area before they are
moved to the storeroom where they are kept either
onsteelshelvinginopenracksorinboxesinthebulk
storagearea,orincoldstorageintherefrigeratorsor
freezers.
The dry/cold food store will be located adjacent to
the kitchen/cooking area thereby ensuring a good
functioningofsuppliesfromthestoretothekitchen.
Liquor and wines are kept in a separate locked cool

storeroom,allwithinthedry/coldfoodstore.
ServiceYard

Toprovidespacefordeliverylorriestomanoeuverfor
thepurposeofsupplyingdeliveriestothehotel.
The functional planning has duly provided for easy
access from the offloading zone to the Store room
andFreezers.

House Keeping & Where laundry and cleaning services for the hotel
andguestsareprovided.
Linen(Laundry)
Soiled linen from all food and beverage outlets is
collected in carts and wheeled to the laundry/linen
area. Guestroom linen collected and sorted at the
pantry/linensituatedtowardsthebackofguestroom
blockswillbethereafterdirectedtothelaundry.
On request, guest laundry is placed in bags in the
room and collected by the housekeeping staff and
carriedtothepantry/linenroom.
Inthepantry/linenroom,linenandclothesaresorted
into groups for different washing or cleaning
treatments, and guests laundry labelled. Except for
verysmallscaledomesticfacilities,thehotelwillnot
provideinhouselaundryfacilities.Itwillcontractout
thisactivitytooutsidespecialistfirmsthroughawell
designed contract. After receipt from the laundry
subcontractor, food and beverage laundry is
returnedtotheappropriateroomforstorage,guests
laundry is returned to their rooms and guestroom
laundryistakenincartsforstorageintheguestroom
blocks.
Mess & Changing Thechangingroomwillofferaplaceforchangingand
storingofstaffbelongings,inpersonalisedlockers.
Room
BinsandReceptacles All solid wastes gathered from the restaurant, guest
rooms, and other service areas will be conveyed to
thebinslocatedintheserviceyardforeasycollection
bygarbagelorries.

Whereallthepumps,electricalmains,generator,etc
TechnicalArea
have been located to facilitate control, monitoring,
checkingincaseofbreakdownandrepair.Allitemsof
equipmenthavebeenregroupedinonecentral area
forefficientmanagement.
Where sewage treatment plant and its associated

componentswillbehoused
Where the desalination plant and associated

componentswillbesited

4.9.5

StaffFacilities
At the staff facilities area of 88m2, the employees will be provided with self
managedcanteenfacilitiesandrestrooms,situatedtowardstheeasterntipofthe
main building to allow them to rest in between shifts and service. The restrooms
willbeprovidedwithchangerooms,showers,lockersandtoilets.

4.9.6

LaundryArea
Thelaundryoftotalarea92m2,includinglinenstorage,stockstorage,sewing,lost&
found,guestlaundry,drycleanersarea,uniformissue/storage,detergentstoreand
cleaningservicesforthehotelandguestswillbelocatedwithinthebasementofthe
backofhousearea, asshownon the drawingenclosedatAnnex4Cattheendof
Section4.
The laundry room will also offer a place for storing, maintaining and issuing all
suppliesofcleanhotellinen,uniforms,andcleaningmaterials.Cleanhotellaundry
willbestoredonshelvesanddistributedfromthelaundrystoreroom.

4.9.7

MaintenanceArea
Atthemaintenanceworkshop,dailyrepairsofbrokenappliancesandfurniturewill
be carried out. Furthermore, this area will be used for storing maintenance
materials,smalltoolsandequipment.

4.10

MECHANICAL/ELECTRICALAREA
The M&E area has been located within the basement of the main building and
withinthetechnicalareasituatedtowardstheeasterntipofthesite.
Theseservice/technicalareashavebeenprovidedforthehousingoftheequipment
thatprovidesmajormechanicalservicestothehotel.
The mechanical/electrical room encompassing items of equipment such as
transformers, generators, control panels etc will be located remote from the
guestroomareas,withinthetechnicalarea,towardstheeasterntipofthesite.
The mechanical room will be provided with large enough exterior doors to allow
replacementofequipment,suchasboilertubesandplantunits.Byvirtueoftheir
locationwithinthetechnicalarea(Annex4Brefers),noiseproducingmachinerywill
thusnotbelocateddirectlyabove,underornexttoguestrooms.
For fire protection purposes, recessed metal cabinets for fire hoses and fire
extinguishers,willbeprovided,aswellasfirealarmsandtheappropriateexitsigns.
Themechanicalunits,whicharenormallyrequiredforhoteloperationsare:boilers,
chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, air handling units, air supply and exhaust fans,
compressors, storage tanks, automatic control equipment, meters and gauges. All
theseunitswillbeenclosedwithinthetechnical/electricalbuildingwhichisremote
fromtheguestroomblocks.

4.11

PARKINGAREA
The tarmac parking area has been purposely designed to accommodate 80 cars,
essentially guests vehicles, so as to limit the extent of relatively unfriendly bare
asphalticconcretearea.
The size of the parking bay and the allocation of the parking lots are validated as
highlightedbelow:
140roomswith1parkingbayforevery3Norooms
2

DiningAreaof560m with1parkingbayper30m
2

47

19

Shopswith1parkingbayper30m

Administrativeoffices

Other

Total

80

Theparkingareawillbesplitinto3Noparkinglotsofferingrespectively56parking
bays,19parkingbaysand5parkingbays,totallingto80parkingsbays
The access from the driveway, through the security post, leading to the car parks
hasbeenproperlylandscapedwithfullygrownandmaturetreesforpropershade
andvisualimpact.
Eachparkinglotwillbe5.0metresby2.5metres.
This parking area is so situated as to be within easy reach and short walking
distance from the reception building, close to the main entrance as evidenced on
theMassingLayoutPlanenclosedatAnnex4BattheendofSection4.
4.12

AESTHETICANDENVIRONMENT
The beauty of the hotel will rely on the landscaping elements together with the
routingofpathwaysandaccesseswhicharerequiredtostructurethewholedesign.
Themainaimistocreatealandscapewhichwillnotonlymeetalltherequirements
ofabeachresort,fitinandenhancetheexistingcharactersofthevariousspaces,
andaddtotheaestheticsofthedevelopmentbutalsobeassustainableaspossible.
In this way, the choice of plants for the softscape will be geared towards mostly
native lowland and coastal species together with certain hardy, noninvasive and
highlyornamentalandarchitecturalones.

4.13

EXTERIORAREAS
The parking area will provide a convenient, attractive and functional access for
guestsandvisitorsfromtheparkinglottothereceptionarea.Theparkingareawill
be provided with beautifully shaped lampposts which will produce an attractive
atmospheretotheguestsandvisitors.Flowerboxesandfloweryplantswithinthe
parking area will also produce contrast to the otherwise distressing black surface
top.

Parking spaces will be provided for guests cars, with adequate drainage for all
parkinglots.
Thedrainagenetworkwillbemadetodischargeintoadequatelysizedsoakaways.
Thelandscapedesignwillbesuchastomaketheviewsfromtheguestsroomsonto
theopenblueoceanasattractiveaspossible.
The landscape design will take into account, and make full use of, the existing
features of the site topography with a view to providing the hotel guests with
adequateopennaturalspacesforrestandrelaxation.
Emphasiswillbelaidonthelandscapedesign,asitwillbeaspecialfeatureofthe
hotelensuringcalmness/serenityoftheplace.
The landscape brief containing the list of proposed plant palette for the hotel
projectisenclosedatAnnex4Jattheendofthissection.
4.14

SURFACEAREAS
The indicative floor areas of the various hotel functional rooms and buildings are
enclosedatAnnex4KattheendofSection4.Theplotcoverageiscalculatedatsub
section6.4,towhichthereaderisreferred.
These buildings, including their shapes and dimensions, have been designed to
meettherequirementsofexistingplanningguidelinesapplicabletohotelssituated
withinthecoastalbelt.TheseconsiderationsareexhaustivelydiscussedinSection6
entitled"PlanningPolicyGuidanceRequirementsandCompliance.