Some Mauritian real estate projects are anything but ordinary. Case in point, "Les Dômes d'Albion", a collection of 20 or so offbeat villas imagined by Bernard Mongelard and Jean-Philippe Brusselmans.
Born from a casual conversation between the two friends, the vision for "Les Dômes d'Albion" was to do away with traditional design and instead, draw inspiration from nature and a geometrical shape taken straight from ancestral architecture: the dome. No simple feat.
To them, the dome's structure, sturdy and pleasing on the eye, was an obvious choice: “Why always build in straight lines when the Earth is round?”, they say. Other than a solid structure, the dome's design optimises thermal comfort and airflow with natural ventilation that prevents overheating.
The bold approach sparked questions and skepticism right from the start. Although the idea dates back to early 2010, it would take several years to secure funding, obtain permits, and get this innovative concept accepted. The unique design, administrative hurdles, and economic uncertainties were all challenges they had to overcome. “People thought we were crazy,” they recall.
But persistence pays off: initially intended for a Mauritian clientele, the villas eventually attracted international buyers. Today, after more than ten years of work on this project, only one villa remains for sale. A sweet victory for these passionate entrepreneurs.
Learn more here: www.domes-maurice.com
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