OUR STORY
Crafting Timeless Lifestyles
Since 1998, our ambition at JFA Architects has been to design comfortable tropical living through contemporary spaces. Be it in Urban, Leisure, Commercial or Residential projects, our practice has provided full Architectural, Interior and Lighting Design services, to our prestigious Clients.
Team
Operating from Mauritius, our dedicated Team of 30 collaborators strives to push boundaries and responds to every opportunity and challenge. Our aim is to propose design solutions through our creativity, expertise and experience on various Local projects, as well as in the African region.
Identifying the ‘Genius Loci’
Every place has its own ‘essence’, character, atmosphere and identity. For us, it all starts with a sound understanding of the site within its geographical and cultural context. This analysis constitutes the spirit of our Architectural strategy and contributes to our design solution.
Meticulous Poets
Convinced that Architecture has a heart and a soul, our Architects unite their artistic talents and rational minds to bring life to their designs.
Sustainability Approach
Sustainability consists in “meeting or satisfying the needs of the current generation without diminishing or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This aspect has become essential nowadays, in a world of continuous expansion. Building Construction has a fundamental role to play here, and we do believe that Architecture is all about designing sustainably.
Site Analysis
For us, Architecture all starts with the site and its context. Our practice encourages a thorough analysis of the potential and constraints of the context, starting with the study of the site itself. Through several layers of research, we try to understand the site and its Geographical, Urban, Social and Economical context. This is fundamental in order to keep the Essence of the site.
Passive Design
We also believe that a Building should be sculpted by the Elements of Nature – Sunrise, Sunset, Wind, Ventilation, Light and Vegetation.
In that sense, Biomimicry, which is taking inspiration from nature in the design process, and Biophilia, being the use of elements of nature into built environments, are two essential elements leading to Ecological Architecture. Building “with” Nature and not “against” it, that is the key.
Building Material
As for building material, we as Architects, must encourage and promote the use of local & natural materials such as wood, stone, thatch and rammed earth, while finding new ways to incorporate them into modern designs.
In Mauritius, we have no other option than to import carbon active material such as concrete, steel and glass. Our prime role shall thus be to give particular attention to same, and become more aware of the specific use of these imported material.
Active Design
One must also be aware of the use of mechanical and technological systems to actively control and regulate the indoor environment. This can include features such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, artificial lighting, and automated controls. Implemented with the help of Engineers, Active Design relies on energy inputs to maintain comfort levels and requires ongoing energy consumption.
The People
Finally, sustainable Architecture is also about People. People understand, feel, love. And us Architects have the responsibility to create these dimensions for the well-being of people who are going to “live” the Building, both inside and outside. To attain that objective, we first have to understand the urban context, the local community, its “way of living” and culture. Then we need to ensure, through careful design, and taking into consideration all dimensions of “Life”, that the Project is well integrated within the existing Framework.