Seychellois architecture debuts in Italy’s international exhibition

This is Seychelles' first appearnace at the International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, Italy. (ADD.locus) 

(Seychelles News Agency) - Different forms of architecture from Seychelles, from traditional to modern, are being showcased for the first time at the 15th edition of the International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, Italy. 

Seychelles is being represented at the event by local architecture firm ADD.locus Architects, in operation since 1997 and based in Providence, on the eastern side of Mahe, the main island.

The managing director of ADD.locus, Alex Ellenberger, told SNA that the Seychelles pavilion shows different forms of architecture -- the traditional, colonial, contemporary and modern style of buildings.

Under the theme ‘Between Two Waters, Searching for Expression in the Seychelles’ the exhibit explores the identity of the island nation and at the same time looks at the architecture of everyday life.

The Seychelles Pavilion has been dubbed ’Between Two Waters, Searching for Expression in the Seychelles. Visible above is a banner of the exhibition promoting the Seychelles on the Grand Canal. (ADD.locus) Photo License: CC-BY

The exhibit includes posted messages from both residents and visitors to the islands, pictures to show how architecture has changed over time and a video. It also features architectural projects influenced by natural elements such as the wind and the ocean, not only Mahe but other islands such as Fregate. 

Ellenberger says the pavilion gives a glimpse of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, and at the same time shows what influences the architects. 

“We are showing to the world what it is like to be an architect in Seychelles and how as professionals we are influenced by the environment and the people,” Ellenberger told SNA. 

The exhibit includes posted messages from both residents and visitors to the islands, pictures to show how architecture has changed over time and a video. It also features architectural projects influenced by natural elements such as the wind and the ocean, not only Mahe but other islands such as Fregate. (ADD.locus) Photo License: CC-BY

The International Architecture Exhibition is organised by the Venice Biennial, which is held every two years from May to November. 

This year’s theme is ‘Reporting from the front’ whereby participants has to show some of the issues that are driving their creativity in their respective countries.

In his introduction at the opening ceremony of the event, Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, the director and curator of the architecture section of the biennial, said, “We believe that the advancement of architecture is not a goal in itself but a way to improve people’s quality of life.” 

The Seychelles Pavilion has been featured in various international media. (ADD.locus) Photo License: CC-BY

Ellenberger told SNA that the Architecture of Seychelles is influenced by a diverse array of cultures including Asian, African and European.

“We strive for unique and fresh ideas, but we cannot overlook the challenges such as lack of space (on specific projects) and the development restrictions that are applied to some areas in the country.”

The Seychelles Pavilion has been featured in various international media some of which have mentioned it as one of the top first-time participants for 2016, according to Ellenberger.