London-based architecture firm Michaelis Boyd Associates recently unveiled the refresh of andBeyond’s Benguerra Lodge on Benguerra Island—the second largest in Mozambique’s Bazaruto archipelago. Enveloped by its lush setting, the lodge embraces its regional identity with thoughtful, naturalistic details.
The redesign merges contemporary details with traditional local construction elements, such as thatched roofs, reed walls, and timber. The firm collaborated with South Africa-based interior designer Marguerite Louw to establish a sense of place across the lodge’s 15 guestrooms, accessed by a winding path that cuts through the bush. Interiors are infused with regionally sourced crafts and materials as well as fabrics and handmade terracotta tiles to reflect Portuguese colonial design tradition. The guestrooms—including 10 casitas—are equipped with outdoor showers, large beach-facing timber decks, infinity edge pools, and majeka thatched roofs. A family villa and two cabanas are also featured onsite.
With respect to the natural setting, timber decks include openings to allow lala palm trees to grow through, and wastewater is reused to irrigate the property.
