Portugese EcoHotel Village Wins More Awards
‘Costa Vicentina’
Portugal’s Almaverde resort has recently added to its prizes, winning both a Gold and Silver at the 2008 Homes Overseas Awards.
The multi-award winning development has now added to its stash of awards including a ‘Highly Commended’ Award as a result of its commitment to sustainability by the independent eco-property website, whatgreenhome.com. It also scooped five 2007 Homes Overseas Magazine Awards, won the 2006 Royal Award for Sustainability and the gold for Best Sustainable Development 2006.
AlmaVerde is a new village and a range of amenities developed by British interests, serving both as a residential community and a vacation destination. It has wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Fully one third of the thirty six hectare site is given over to streets and paths, recreational areas, public gardens and parkland. The remaining area comprises plots for one hundred and thirty villas, over thirty townhouses, a number of smaller studio units and two groups of apartments, and will soon be home to Iberia’s largest and most advanced destination spa.
Located in the southern part of Portugal – ‘Costa Vicentina’ Algarve is a protected landscape area with a very rugged and wild appearance considered one of the most beautiful areas along the whole of the Portuguese coast.
Its environmental credentials draw from a combination of old and new technologies. Sustainable materials used are adobe sun-baked clay bricks, mortar and render, natural stone and timber (all timber is sustainably farmed). The resort uses “Coolhouse” an innovative geothermal cooling and heating system developed at AlmaVerde by architect Jes Mainwaring that reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 94%- no air conditioning is used in this hot part of Portugal. Less expensive as well.
AlmaVerde sees nature as a partner – landscape and plants are integral to the AlmaVerde look. Also, all year round and particularly in October in the migratory season the Algarve is home to a whole host of bird species that attract the attention of nature lovers.
Said John Tranmer, Managing Director “In developing AlmaVerde in this area of outstanding natural beauty, our underlying motivation is to:
· Encourage the lifelong pursuit of well-being and happiness by offering ongoing opportunities for exercise, relaxation, therapeutic treatment, education and personal development
· Foster an active sense of community among residents and guests
· Promote the sustainable and energy-efficient use of resources and consideration for the natural environment»
Maria Lemos
Valere
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