A comfortable new suite surrounded by the jungle

“Delicate” and “poetic” are the adjectives that best describe the project by the architectural and landscaping firm Hortus for a villa located in the municipality of Saint-Leu on the idyllic island of Reunion. The owners wanted to reorganise the garden so as to create an independent bungalow at the entrance to the villa and renovate the portion of the living area overlooking the existing swimming pool. “The new bungalow was designed to resemble a master suite, with a comfortable bedroom and cosy private bathroom,” says David Hemon from Hortus. “The kitchen area is located beneath a wood-framed veranda that surrounds a mango tree. On Reunion Island, the “varangue” – a term commonly used in carpentry – refers to a traditional veranda used in Creole architecture to embellish and complement the front areas of huts. The tropical vegetation delicately encircles the building, reducing its visual impact and enhancing the sense of intimacy.” A pleasant, shady path leads from here to another wooden veranda that serves as a living area alongside the swimming pool. The goal was to create a kind of poolhouse where the owners could relax and enjoy an aperitif with friends while preserving the spirit of the existing structure. The chosen materials reflect the owners’ desire to maintain the location’s simple, restful ambience while also emphasising the vegetation. The swimming pool and decking are complemented by the pale-coloured outdoor porcelain pavers in the colour Sand from Coem’s Brit Stone collection. For the interior of the bungalow, the architect chose the concrete effect of Fioranese’s Dot collection in a light grey colour for the bedroom floors and the Deco version for the large shower. In the bathroom, a pleasing colour effect is also provided by the splashback wall, where Cementine_Evo cement tiles, also from Fioranese, accentuate the ethno-chic effect of the chosen decorative elements. “The harmonious mixture of vintage objects and furniture creates a natural atmosphere that is steeped in history and conveys a sense of authenticity and poetry,” adds David Hemon.