Ecolodges as Sustainable Buildings

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1 Ecolodges as Sustainable Buildings Megan Epler Wood November 9, 2009 Sustainable Buildings: Design, Construction, and Operations HARVARD

2 Agenda: Ecolodges as Sustainable Buildings Ecolodge Definition Criteria: What makes an ecolodge sustainable? Design & Construction Waste, Water & Energy Operations Case Study: Lapa Rios, Costa Rica Current and future developments

3 Ecolodge Definition: a low-impact, nature-based, financially sustainable accommodation that helps protect sensitive neighboring areas; involves and benefits local communities; offers tourists an interpretative and interactive participatory experience; provides a spiritual communion with nature and culture and is planned, designed, constructed, and operated in an environmentally and socially sensitive manner - Mehta (2002), author of International Ecolodge Guidelines

4 Distinctions between Ecolodges & other Sustainable Buildings Ecolodges are designed based on ecotourism principles: that the tourism business not only is ecologically sustainable but provides benefits to local residents and to conservation. Ecolodges competitive advantage and revenue generating potential are based on the pristine nature of their surroundings necessitating the goal of environmental protection.

5 Distinctions between Ecolodges & other Sustainable Buildings Ecolodges are often very remote, facing infrastructure and transport challenges, in contrast to an urban-based green building Ecolodges are often in developing countries where there may be a lack of funds to develop a highly technological sustainable building

6 Criteria: An Ecolodge has minimal impact on the natural and cultural surroundings, fits into the physical and cultural environments through attention to design and landscaping as well as building materials, utilizes green technologies that provide sustainable means of water acquisition, safe disposal of solid waste and sewage and use of renewable energy sources, involves local communities in the ecolodge development and seeks to bring about economic and educational benefits to communities, and integrates environmental and cultural education into the visitor s experience. - The Nature Conservancy

7 Ecolodge Design Conduct environmental and social impact assessments of site, with local stakeholder involvement ensuring plan is appropriate for local biological, geographic, climatic and cultural features as well as potential client expectations Ecuador Architecture and infrastructure should integrate harmoniously with surrounding area, for example by using natural materials and low structures be minimally visible

8 Construction labor intensive - local employment natural, renewable, sustainably harvested materials Lead-free and no- or low-voc paints Take into account each products life cycle recycled materials (glass, cement, etc.)

9 Energy Renewable sources such as solar, wind, small hydro and biogas and low energy consumption is the goal off-the-grid Passive ventilation & lighting Solar hot water and photovoltaic panels Bio-gas Insulation, thermal lighting timers, compact fluorescent bulbs efficient appliances Kerosene lamps & candles Ice boxes & insulated coolers/cool rooms

10 Water Conservation and Reuse Water saving (low-flow) faucets, showerheads & toilets Rain water storage Grey water reuse: for gardens and toilets Less frequent linen washing Composting dry toilet with roof rainwater catchment, Rainwater sink, Black Sheep Inn, Ecuador Water conserving appliances & biodegradable detergent, Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

11 Waste Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle. Onsite wastewater treatment Compost for use onsite or for local food producers Separation of recyclables and organic waste at Black Sheep Inn, Ecuador and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Malaysia

12 Operations Daily activities that can reduce the impact of the surrounding natural environment Limited disposables Biodegradable cleaning products and personal care products Chlorine-free/biodegradable/recycled paper products Incorporate native species for landscaping, avoid exotic No pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers Locally produced and natural products Source organic food for guests meals, onsite organic gardens Office management: practices and products should include 100% post consumer recycled paper, refillable organic toner for printing Plant trees and use indoor plants

13 Case Study: Lapa Rios, Costa Rica Sustainability at Lapa Rios

14 Case Study: Lapa Rios, Costa Rica Sustainability at Lapa Rios

15 Winners of National Geographic s and Ashoka Changemaker s 2008 Geotourism Challenge: Exemplifying sustainability potential of ecolodges Rios Tropicales Rainforest Ecolodge, Costa Rica

16 Winners of National Geographic s and Ashoka Changemaker s 2008 Geotourism Challenge: Exemplifying sustainability potential of ecolodges Yachana Lodge, Ecuador Video

17 Certification: Sustainable Tourism Criteria Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria (STC Partnership): coalition of 27 organizations Initiated by Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Sustainable Tourism Criteria to be launched at the World Conservation Congress in October Criteria to be a minimum standard for any tourism business that aspires to be certified as sustainable: working to protect the world s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation.

18 Sustainable Tourism Criteria will Serve as basic guidelines for businesses of all sizes to become more sustainable; Serve as guidance for travel agencies in choosing suppliers and sustainable tourism programs; Help consumers identify sustainable tourism programs and businesses; Help media to recognize sustainable tourism providers; Help certification and other voluntary programs ensure that their standards meet a broadly-accepted baseline; Offer governmental, non-governmental and private sector programs a starting point for developing sustainable tourism requirements; Serve as baseline guidelines for education and training bodies such as hotel schools and Universities. Criteria available at

19 Questions Megan Epler Wood EplerWood International

GREEN HOTELS: Opportunities and Resources for Success

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