Upcycling meets innovative architecture
The subject of sustainability has entered the architecture and design world increasingly. To include sustainable aspects when designing and developing products, buildings and services is an exciting task, provoking creative minds to come up with new ideas. Taking into account a sustainable supply chain, longevity of products and possibilities of re- and upcycling is challenging, but even more fascinating. In Sweden for example, a new law regulation aims to reduce the taxes of reparation services in comparison to new products. An interesting point, right?! Since repairing furniture, shoes and appliances becomes less expensive, less material is used as well as trash and emissions reduced.
Also Green Pearls® partners make up their minds about how to combine sustainability and aesthetics in the product and hotel designs. Lets have a look at some successful examples:
Upcycling and showering like an astronaut
lumbono stands for functional and high-class lights and design objects. Sail canvas, which are not flittering across the sea, discarded mail bags or scraped coffee bags get a new look and design by becoming timeless, beautiful lights. Individual, convertible, sustainable, as well as produced with ecologic responsibility and in co-operation with social projects. A good reason for Ben Förtsch from Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany, to invite the lumbono designer Andrea Flotzinger and Britta Drummer to do the light concept of the hotel. The Creativhotel Luise is a pioneer within the sustainable hotel business. Since the end of the 80s, Klaus Förtsch has been engaged with green tourism concepts, even though at that time other professionals smiled at him. His son Ben recently launched the regrowing hotel room. The demolition, re-construction, utilization of resources will be considered according to the Cradle-to-Cradle©-principle, which stands for continuous material flow. The regrowing hotel room is the first hotel room in Germany, integrating a shower technology that was originally developed for the mars mission of the NASA. Orbital Systems’ patented technology of water recycling is part of the worldwide most efficient shower, which has the ability to safe 90 per cent water and 80 per cent energy in comparison to ordinary showers. With its revolutionary cleaning system, the shower of the future produces water that is cleaner than tap water.
Natural materials as protagonists of modern alpine architecture
With two holiday apartments, 65 years ago Karl Traubel brought tourism to the small town of Balderschwang. In second and now third generation, the vision has grown to create a temporary guest home, which was realized in several reconstructions. Mainly the re-buildings in 2010 and 2013 in co-operation with the renowned architect Prof. Hermann Kaufmann from the Vorarlberg, transformed the HUBERTUS Alpin Lodge & Spa to the outstanding retreat that it is today. The HUBERTUS Alpin Lodge & Spa is characterized by a modern alpine architecture. The pristine nature of the Alps is playing an important part: Lovingly selected materials and textures reflect the exterior inside, while modern elements are creating a relaxed clearness. A special focus has been put on a consistent language of materials. Natural housing and shingles made of wood clad the facade of the building and create an optic brace. The diverse architecture of the individual parts of the building guarantee authenticity and at the same time support an exciting polarity between entity and difference.
Star Trek à la Patagonien…
Once upon a time, there have been college friends named Javier Lopez, Yerko Ivelic and Nani Astorga, who founded a small adventure travel agency. They had the vision to build up the first environmentally friendly hotel in Patagonia, in one of the largest wilderness area of the world. The EcoCamp Patagonia opened its doors in 2001 and and is still an exceptional example of innovative architecture, which is resistent against the wild winds of Patagonia. The idea behind it is a great love for the local nature and the desire to protect the region around the Torres del Paine National Park. Travelers enjoy the landscape in a responsible way, without leaving a footprint. The property consists of domes that have semi-spherical structures, minimizing the external surface area and temperature exchange through walls. All walls have a thick insulation cushion, ensuring warmth and protection from strong winds. Skylight windows allow guests to star gaze at night, and to utilise natural heat and light resources. Minimal illumination helps local fauna to be not disrupted but can freely roam around on the ground.
