Eco-friendly homes are not just an ongoing trend in the high-end residences market. According to experts, more upscale house hunters are clamoring for homes with sustainability at the core.
In Greenfield Development Corporation’s Trava, for instance, luxury thrives with genuine care for nature. The 33-hectare ultra-luxe community in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is touted as the benchmark for residential developments in green architecture due to its practical and sustainable design and construction.
It offers the following guidelines for eco-friendly home and community.
Sustainable building materials
Natural, recyclable, and non-toxic materials get the nod of green architecture proponents. Examples are bio-based flooring from renewable sources with a life cycle that has a minimal environmental impact such as bamboo and coco lumber. Another indigenous material that is gaining ground is the rice husk ash cement.
Engineered wood and recycled, natural materials are some of the components of a Trava house. They are also made with low-emissivity glass to minimize ultraviolet and infrared light inside the rooms, as well as odorless paint and permeable pavers on the driveways and patios.
Furnishing home with furniture and accessories made from upcycled materials is also helpful to nature as it curtails the amount of waste products while maximizing the purpose of existing resources. Bespoke furnishings made of reclaimed wood, meanwhile, allow owners to collect wooden furniture without sacrificing new trees.
Alternative source of energy
Installing solar panels as an alternative source of power will not only reduce energy bills but will also help lessen the environmental impact of generating non-renewable energy.
The grand clubhouse at Trava, for example, is built with solar panels on the roof to reduce the upscale community’s non-renewable energy consumption.
Green roof and green wall
Rooftop and vertical gardens are said to lift moods. They also reduce the surface temperature of the roof and walls, serving as passive cooling. Plants are natural air filters hence if augmented with technology, a smart green wall can noticeably purify the surrounding air.
Outdoor garden
The advantage of buying a township property is that there is enough space to cultivate an outdoor garden.
Located in a suburban enclave, the sprawling spaces at Trava give more than 550 square meters of space for families yearning for well-appointed homes where they can also plant herbs or fruit-bearing trees to create meals with fresh, organic produce.
Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or for growing organic plant-based food, the benefits of greeneries to the environment are immeasurable. Trees collect rainwater while plants, in general, absorb carbon dioxide and act as a natural screen against dust and pollution.
Plant species native to the area
Not all plants are the same, thus it’s important to choose plants carefully and take into consideration the climate and soil condition in area. Some plants are invasive that they can damage and destroy local species.
Bringing in plants from a colder region to a tropical country is likewise unwise and futile. Opt for plants that are native to the area. They are easier to maintain and will not require expensive fertilizers and chemical supplements to grow.
Rainwater harvesting
Considering that the Philippines has wet and dry seasons, rainwater must be taken advantage of. It is free and can be used for irrigating a vegetable garden and cleaning the house. Some even use it for laundry.
There are different easy ways to install a rain harvesting system which can be found on the Internet. Or better yet, hire an expert to build one.
Green appliances
The payback for energy-efficient appliances goes beyond savings in energy consumption. The bigger benefit is that there will be lesser emissions of pollutants from the generation of electricity.
Check for the Energy Star rating. It’s a seal of approval that a particular appliance is energy efficient. The more stars are highlighted, the higher its efficiency. The Energy Rating label, on the other hand, indicates the performance of the appliance and how much it will cost to run.
Natural ventilation and lighting
Skylights, large windows, high ceilings, water features, and the use of bamboo furniture are just some of the techniques that can be employed to encourage passive ventilation and minimize use of artificial lighting.
Organic and natural products
Unknown to many, cleaning products and personal toiletries are some of the biggest air pollutants. Natural products contain few or no ingredients that can interact and produce toxins that are harmful to the health of its occupants. In comparison, many conventional cleaning brands contain non-biodegradable ingredients from non-renewable sources.
