Page 12 - Fiji Traveller Issue 3

Urata gets a fresh outlook

The Urata lookout just outside Savusavu has about 20 international participants. A lot of
long been a favourite place for travellers on the them are students of architecture or people that
Labasa-Savusavu highway to break their journey have an interest in or an understanding of built
for a spectacular photo and some fresh air. environment, and they're looking to gain that kind
But its popularity meant that it had also become of on-site construction experience. It's also quite a
a place that was despoiled by the litter they left nice social, cultural exchange as well, which I think
behind. adds additional elements to the project aside from
Now the location has a café that has a simple just working together on site.”
beauty that compliments, rather than competes The café is powered by renewable energy and
with the view, and provides income and its menu is focused around healthy options.
employment to the people of Urata village. “To be off-grid is a larger investment upfront but
The Urata Lookout Café was built with funds it relieves the Mataqali Urata of monthly bills. And
provided by the US Embassy to the Rotary Club it also gives consistent service, even when the
of Savusavu during Covid-19. power grid is offline,” says Rotary’s Calvert.
Club President, Gene Calvert says once they “We don’t offer fizzy drinks at the cafe, mostly
won the grant, they contacted Caukin Studio, healthy alternative drinks, like smoothies, energy
a UK-based firm that had undertaken other drinks, freshly squeezed juices. And then there's
community projects in the area. also coffee and tea, of course. Fresh produce for
“Fiji is a place we hold very close to our hearts,” the cafe menu is harvested from the village, that
says the co-founder of Caukin Studio, Joshua is, vegetables as well as meat,” he adds.
Peasley. While opening the café recently, Prime Minister
He was very familiar with the Urata site, having Sitiveni Rabuka noted that Vanua Levu is known
travelled the Labasa-Savusavu highway many as the ‘friendly north’. He said the café is a
times on previous projects. The studio’s earlier testament to the friendliness, kindness and spirit
builds in Fiji have included community halls, a of the Rotary Club of Savusavu and Rotarians all
kindergarten and a coconut oil processing centre over the world.
on Batiki Island. "There is a lot of history behind this place. It sort
“We're working with networks of structural of lies dormant at the moment, but there is a lot
engineers globally, environmental design of potential. And when people see that potential
specialists, as well as local engineers and local and are willing to help, you have projects like this,
architects to come up with solutions that can the Urata Lookout Café, and you’ll have the ‘Blue
use natural materials like timber that a typical Town’ of Savusavu, so a lot of people will benefit.”
house or community might be built out of, but try Calvert says while the future of the café is
to further their designs to strengthen them, but now in the hands of the Chief and Mataqali, “our
also hopefully make them lighter, airer, just nicer primary interest is in bringing consistent, long-
spaces to be in,” Peasley says. term income to the Mataqali. In terms of how
After two years of consultation and logistics they spend the income, we hope it’s wise and
discussions on Zoom—borders were closed over considerate of all the village.”
this period—construction of the café commenced. As for Joshua Peasley, “I'm just excited to
“The Urata cafe was built during an eight- get out there and enjoy my first coffee rom the
week period, which is pretty quick turnaround,” veranda, hopefully later this year.”
Peasley says. The build involved both locals
and international participants. “Alongside 50- Urata Lookout Cafe
plus members of the community, I think it was

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