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Sustainable design is a lot more serious and a lot more real than most of the “green” peddlers would like us to think. And it doesn’t necessarily translate into rudimentary. We travel the fine line between fashionable and the responsible…

Green, some say is fashionable. Others call it a gimmick. But, the greenhouse effect is real. Global warming is real. Gross over-population of the earth is real. As such, everything is numbered.

Once considered an alternate way of living, privy to a select few, it is now a universal concern.

There is misconception about what ecological design is today. Popular perception is that if we assemble enough eco-gadgetry in one place including the solar collectors, photo-voltaic cells, biological recycling systems, double-skin facades, we will instantaneously achieve ecological architecture.

But the truth is that the process takes time, and is more difficult than one can imagine. What we need today, is someone who not only believes in the cause but is also willing to pick up cudgels for it. It’s time we got out there, and got our hands dirty. The concern is multi-fold with our industry.

The number of flights and drives it takes to get to a destination adds to the carbon footprint. Not to mention the add-ons once you get to the hotel. Of course, this doesn’t mean that one has to skip vacations or those work meets, but instead, plan and choose intelligently. Hotelier India made a few stops around the country to find out eco-friendly stay options.

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Along the Coramandel coast of Tamil Nadu near to the erstwhile French Colony and the historically famous Mahabalipuram is this Eco-Village. With an aim to reduce the impact on the environment, each and every aspect of the Dune has been designed and constructed to resonate with conservation features. The 35 acre destination boasts of 36 villas and bungalows, 15 suites and rooms where each one has a different theme.

ECO METER

Almost all the construction is built using reclaimed building material from South Indian colonial houses, Chettinad palace and Kerala’s planter’s mansions.
 
Other features include 100% use of solar hot water systems, CFL bulbs, waste-water treatment plants and minimal use of air conditioners in rooms. What is really commendable is that the facility uses 70% less carbon emission on an average when compared to the rest. Almost 95% of the wood used is recycled. Houses are built using cast-off wood, doors, floor tiles and roof tiles while all windows, pillars and all furniture have been reused. The bricks used are all handmade and construction materials include lime instead of cement wherever possible thus minimising the impact on the environment to a considerable extent.

Even landscaping is catered to without cutting any trees or any external input of soil thereby, keeping the ecology of the place unaffected.

It offers completely organic food in its two gourmet restaurants. Almost all the produce is grown in-house in its farms.  The waste water – both grey and black water is treated at the treatment plant and is used for irrigation of the farm at the facility.  Drip line, sprinkle, pop up are used extensively to irrigate the gardens and the farm. These systems ensure a saving of 70% of water compared to the hand or channel irrigation.