C O N T E X T 1 1 5 : J U LY 2 0 1 0 35 Julian Bagg Protecting paradise The Seychelles, a remote archipelago of around 115 granite and coral islands in the Western Indian Ocean, is making some progress in protecting its built heritage. More than 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, the island group of the Seychelles is scattered across 54,000 square miles of ocean. Most of the islands are uninhabited. The largest inhabited islands are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The islands range from small sandy atolls inhabited by seabird colonies to forest-clad granite peaks. Centuries of isolation have seen the evolution of unique flora, such as the Coco De Mer, a giant coconut which has become a national symbol. A lack of predation has enabled the survival of fauna such as the giant Aldabra tortoise. The importance of these survivals is reflected in the protection of their special habitat through the designation of two UNESCO world heritage sites. Now internationally accessible, the Seychelles is heavily reliant on tourism. It is known for its whitesand beaches, amazing snorkelling and exclusive island resorts.The population of more than 80,000 represents a racial mix known as Seychellois, who speak French, English and Creole. The weather is consistently warm, with two monsoon seasons bringing occasional heavy rain. The architecture of the traditional buildings of the Seychelles reflects the availability of local materials, an adaptation to the heat of the local climate and seasonal monsoon, and social status. The earliest surviving buildings are thought to date from the early to mid 19th century. There appear to be two broad types of vernacular dwelling. The larger colonial and plantation houses were constructed for land owners, managers and merchants. The more modest houses known as payots were generally workers cottages. The larger historic houses are characterised by an elevated principal floor on piers or an enclosed undercroft referred to as a cave from the French term. This construction allowed cooling air to circulate beneath the principal floor. Some floor boards were apparently set with gaps to allow the passage of air from beneath. The principal floor, accessed by an external staircase, would be served by a wide veranda around the building. Accommodation was generally on one floor only, and divided into reception rooms and bedrooms. Kitchens were generally separate from the main house. Traditionally there was no glazing in Seychellois houses. Extensive openings were fitted with hinged louvre panels which were lifted or opened during the day. Roofs of larger houses are generally steeply A colonial plantation house c1870 restored with funds from the American Consulate and open to visitors at the centre of a tourist craft village at Domaine deVal des Pres, Mahe A thatched colonial plantation house at L’Union Estate, La Digue
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