camille walala blends bold graphics with local culture at SALT of palmar hotel in mauritius

in what marks her first architectural collaboration, camille walala has infused the spaces of the SALT of palmar hotel, located on the east coast of mauritius, with her signature graphics. together with jean‐françois adam of mauritian firm JFA architects, the london-based artist has transformed a geometric, riad-like building by renowned local architect maurice giraud into a bold, colorful resort with strong links to the island’s character.

all images by tekla evelina severin

devoted to all things local and sustainable, SALT of palmar is the first in a new family of hotels from LUX* resorts & hotels located in the indian ocean (mauritius, reunion island and mauritius) as well as turkey and china. given that the entire concept of SALT is rooted in the authentic expression of the destination, camille walala, together with her long-standing collaborator julia jomaa, embarked in a series of explorations through the natural landscape and the man-made environment of the island to find ways of embedding the mauritian aesthetic into the fabric of the interior.

‘I was blown away with how many vibrant and bold colors you find around the island,’ walala notes, ‘people paint their houses in the most amazing tones that really stand out against the lush tropical setting. from the emerald green of the plants to the ever changing colors of the sky, I wanted to marry these warm natural tones to my signature pop colors’

a recurrent motif of black and white stripes is applied throughout the hotel

walala worked closely with mauritian architect jean-françois adams to realize her vision for the hotel’s 59 rooms and public areas, and drew on his local expertise in order to recruit the area’s most talented craftspeople to design bespoke pieces for the project (including the likes of basket-weaver reotee buleeram, potter janine espitalier-noel, and father-and-son rattan artisans mawlabaccus and said moosbally). through the renovation of the existing building, located on the fringe of palmar beach’s pure white sand, adams repurposed the standing structures to accentuate the hotel’s proximity to the sea. of the project, the architect mentioned, ‘everything about the hotel is designed to bring people together. from the communal tables in the bakery, restaurant and beach bar, to mauritius’ first roof-top bar and the inviting spaces in the salt equilibrium spa, it is all about gathering and sharing stories of travels and enjoyment of this incredible location.’

the palette balances natural hues and walala’s vibrant pop notes

detailing throughout the hotel is authentic, artisanal and unique  local ceramicist janine designed and crafted the hotel’s tableware

father and son duo, mawlabaccus and said moosbally, have created the rattan chairs throughout the resort

fauna and flora have been protected throughout the project, adding a sense of timeless serenity

tile work at the the bakery

the hotel connects modern explorers with communities and their way of lifeall beds are oriented to face the water earthy hues in the hotel’s rooms are interrupted by bold pops of color

daybed at one of the beach view rooms the island’s warm tropical light allows the location’s natural colors to shine

the pool has been redesigned to improve its connection with the beach

seating and parasols extend towards palmar beach’s pure white sand

project info:

name: SALT of palmar

architect: jean‐françois adam, JFA architects

interiors, concept: camille walala

location: coastal road, palmar 41604, mauritius