Florida Everglades Resort
Green Building Statement
Our Green Building Initiative has been very carefully planned and is a critical component of the overall experience of our Resort. Any comprehensive Green Building strategy considers the health of the natural environment in addition to the well-being of the visitors and employees of the EcoResort. The following are all components of our Green Building Mission:
Planning and Site Selection: The process begins early in the land planning and design of the physical infrastructure. We chose a site with the concept of highest and best use in mind. The property is situated on a mature orange grove that had been neglected in recent years. The buildings will occupy only a small percentage of the 15 acre property allowing us to re-introduce native vegetation which will in turn bring wildlife back to the area. We envision growing some of the food to be served at the Lodge right on the property and there exists the possibility of using vegetation as clean biomass energy.
Buildings: All buildings will be designed to work with nature, taking advantage of prevailing winds, natural daylighting, shading and rainwater harvesting. Some of the architectural elements reflect the wisdom of the early settlers of Florida and their “Cracker” architectural design features. We will use the U.S. Green Building LEED Program as a guide; striving for their highest level, LEED Platinum.
Water: Renewable sources of clean water are essential to any intelligent building plan in this day and age. We anticipate that the cost of water will rise dramatically as supplies are threatened and have therefore built many water saving and re-use technologies into our master plan. We will collect rainwater from our impervious surfaces for irrigation, wash water and toilet flushing. Graywater from sinks, showers and laundry facilities will be purified on site and re-cycled; and we are investigating the use of wastewater, food scraps and other organic matter as a source of renewable energy. Conservation measures will include low flow fixtures in guest bathrooms as well as our food service facilities and recreational areas.
Energy: The first step in the reduction of energy usage is conservation. We will employ passive features in the building design such as natural daylighting, ventilation and a well designed building envelope (walls, roof and windows) to reduce the initial power loads. All mechanical equipment will be the highest efficiency available and we will generate renewable energy on site such as solar, wind and biomass to supply a large percentage of our energy needs.
Materials: Building materials and furnishings will be selected based upon how they impact the natural environment. A life cycle analysis of all materials will be a part of the selection criteria to insure that the products specified meet the aesthetic criteria of a world class resort without compromising our values and commitment to sustainability. Wood products will be FSC certified or come from sources deemed to be rapidly renewable or reclaimed and we will source as many materials from the local market as possible to reduce the impact of transportation of goods.
Indoor Air Quality: We are keenly aware of the impact of air quality on the health and general well-being of our guests and employees. Air quality begins by selecting materials like paint, carpet, finishes and adhesives that do not contribute VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) or other harmful chemicals to the air that we breathe. All rooms will feature operable windows to let in fresh outside air and the mechanical systems will mix in fresh air while providing needed filtration and dehumidification.
Cleaning and Maintenance: A Green Building stays green by carefully maintaining the mechanical systems and by utilizing a ‘Green Cleaning’ Program to insure that harmful chemicals are not introduced into our environment. Natural cleaning products and methods will be used throughout the resort to insure that we maintain our high standards of indoor air quality without compromise.
