Alila on the Road to Green Globe 21 Compliance
May 20, 2009 by green team
Filed under Travel
Alila Villas Uluwatu has spent millions of dollars over the past year in outfitting their resort in Bali with recycled and eco-friendly materials like bamboo and lava stone to gain Green Globe 21 compliance. Their efforts are impressive and we hope that all resorts will follow their example.
green team
US$2.4 million dollars of recycled wood, US$336 thousand dollars worth of sustainable bamboo ceilings, US$311 thousand dollars of rattan for the cabinets, US$296 thousand dollars of lava stone roof insulation, US$1.5 million in hand-made batu Jogja and batu chandi for decorative wall cladding.
This is just the mere tip of the iceberg when it comes to proving how serious Alila Villas Uluwatu is about gaining Green Globe design and build accreditation. The combined effort of owner, designer, project and management teams is paramount to navigating a successful path to Green Globe 21 compliance.
We are truly fortunate to have trail-blazing owners at Alila Villas Uluwatu, who have committed to a decision and put forth the capital to support a project that is redefining the standard of things to come.
From commissioning and briefing WOHA, our architecture and design company, to developing innovative structures that are not only energy efficient but are also built from materials that are reused, recyclable and sustainable. In addition, the proven foresight of owners, designers and Cicada, our landscape architects, to boldly incorporate the local vegetation into the villas, public areas is a first for Bali. The Bukit is renowned for being a barren dry landscape, and has been re-invented through the creative placement of flora such as sweet lemongrass, milkweed and lantana, all currently growing abundantly without the need for watering.
The project team working on Alila Villas Uluwatu have done an outstanding job diligently controlling the usage of water, fuel, harsh chemicals and correct building materials during construction, ensuring that we do not spend more than USD$1,700 on diesel for the generators or use more than 3,000 cubic metres of water for construction per month. Each day we work with our development team to record this consumption whilst keeping focused on the task at hand, that is, to open this magnificent property.
As the management company we are also keeping an eye on the future, such as testing sanitary equipment like taps, to ensure they flow at a maximum rate of 9.5 litres per minute. This includes installing toilets that utilize than 5 litres per flush, and rain showers that consume less than 10 liters of water per minute. We are at present commissioning heat exchange pumps that take the hot exhaust from air conditioning to heat all the water for the property. The approach to recycling water is a marvel in itself, and our aim is to achieve 80% water retention through the combined network of soak ways, reverse osmosis, saltwater pool chlorination and a state-of-the-art sewer treatment plant.
We are currently working with consultants in Australia who assist with auditing and submitting our application to Green Globe. This is an epic task which requires the submission of full drawings; architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, landscaping for a 14 hectare project. Drawings aside, we also need to justify
or prove minimum noise pollution, restricted use of hazardous materials, waste minimization, community involvement, employee education, biodiversity protection, training, thermal mass levels and microclimate strategies, amongst many other requirements!
We are currently on track and rest assured that once achieved we will let you know. The hard work, persistence and toil will all be worth it to claim the first accredited design and build project in Indonesia. However, we will not be resting on our laurels as the next phase is to gain Green Globe operational accreditation followed by the approach to be a carbon neutral operating hotel within 24 months of opening.
