Elected officials, construction professionals, and community leaders gathered in Dembéni to unveil a new book documenting how architects mobilized in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido. The conference, organized by the Council of the Order of Architects of Réunion and Mayotte (COARM), was part of a national program called "Architectures and Territories," which this year highlights the theme of "Managing the Living."
The event marked the official launch of "Chido: Architects in Mayotte," a collective work published by TerLa Editions. The book features photographs by young Mahoran talent Nayl Mtoubani, offering a visual perspective on the damage caused by the cyclone and the stages of reconstruction that followed.
For COARM President Éric Hugel, it was essential to recognize the exemplary mobilization of Mayotte's architects in the days following the cyclone. "These young architects spontaneously mobilized for the population: securing, diagnosing, surveying, without anyone asking them to do anything," he explained. Their work enabled the collection of essential data, particularly for resuming classes and evaluating numerous damaged homes.
Hugel emphasized the importance of preserving this collective memory for future generations. "It seemed important to us to keep a record of this over time," he added, referring to the desire to maintain collective memory of the disaster response. The book was conceived in an entirely collaborative manner, bringing together testimonies and accounts from professionals who experienced the emergency from within.
"We discussed with them the fear and terror felt during the cyclone, but also their desire to act. This collection represents all the architects who intervened," Hugel specified. The collaborative approach ensured that the diverse experiences and perspectives of all participating architects were captured in the publication.
Dominique Tessier, director of the CAUE of Mayotte, views this book as a marker of collective memory. For him, it is "important to show how a profession can act spontaneously and collectively." Given that the disaster affected most buildings on the island, he emphasized the central role of construction sector professionals in the reconstruction process.
"Architecture is anticipation. It allows us to think about work before undertaking it, to integrate everything that is necessary," Tessier explained. He regretted that this approach is not yet widespread among private individuals in Mayotte, suggesting that greater awareness of architectural planning could help prevent future disaster-related damage and improve overall construction quality on the island.
