How to Build a Sustainable farmhouse for the Modern Traveler
In my architectural career, I have witnessed a lot of people admire glass facades and how modern they look. We have quite often been asked by so many people - why have you guys made a brick jali rather than having big glass windows? What people miss here is that we live in India. A country that has a tropical climate.
Glass and other western materials being used mindlessly are not sustainable at all. What we know is that the United States has a lot of glass buildings and so should we. Because they define modernity for us and we blindly fall for it, failing to build sustainable houses.
Source: AD France
Sustainable farmhouses are highly sought after right now. And by outlining your approach towards sustainability, you will appeal to the growing market of people. People who are looking to be more sustainable when it comes to their travel and booking choices.
Standing out from the competition
Apparently, there are numerous accommodations available online today. Modern travelers have a lot of options. But, if you want your property to stand out, you should undoubtedly opt for a unique sustainable farmhouse. That way you knock out your competition, as nobody in your region would have one.
Among the many vacation rentals in India, for instance, you can make yours more humble, yet striking. Just consider the following ways to make your property sustainable for the modern traveler.
1. Use of Vernacular construction materials and techniques:
Finding and using easily available local materials with vernacular construction techniques is crucial to building a sustainable farmhouse. Design and construction are the first two steps to achieving a truly sustainable farmhouse. And it is very easy to fall prey to the prevalent techniques that most designers and contractors use. That is building RCC structures. However, if you are really serious about building a sustainable farmhouse, have a keen eye for locally available materials and construction techniques. Make sure that they are also appropriate for the modern lifestyle.
Source: Archdaily
2. Conserving the existing vegetation on site:
Having naturally grown trees on your site is an opportunity to create a serene, blissful, and sustainable farmhouse. A lot of people try getting rid of these mature trees and plants to build their vacation homes. By doing this, you are taking away the land’s unique identity. You are making it plain and boring.
On the other hand, if you build your farmhouse around the existing vegetation and trees, you end up with a very green, enriching, and natural experience. You are also avoiding the need to do heavy landscaping.
Source - Archdaily, Architecture Brio
3. Consider your guests’ safety from rodents, insects, and reptiles:
By building a sustainable farmhouse you automatically allow nature to thrive on your property. With alot of greenery and vegetation, you are also allowing insects, rodents, small animals, or even snakes to thrive in their own habitat. Despite the fact that these creatures won't cause any harm, a lot of your guests might not like them entering their habitual spaces. So it is necessary to make provisions for avoiding the same. You can use mosquito nets along with grills. If you want to open up the rooms to the outdoors entirely during the day, you can also consider installing sliding mosquito nets in your farmhouse.
Source: [https://indianbydesign.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/03rr-interior-04.jpg?w=768&h=512]
4. Introduce the sustainable experience that you support, to your guests:
Sustainability doesn't end with building a sustainable farmhouse but extends to the lifestyle a person leads in that space. The way you treat your waste, the way you use water, the food that you eat, as well as your style of bathing.
To support the modern lifestyle and fulfill your guest’s needs, you can provide some sustainable amenities like a small natural bath, organic linens, freshly grown fruits, and vegetables to give them a holistic and fulfilling experience at your sustainable farmhouse.
This way you can also charge a premium rental for providing a unique sustainable experience.
The goal is not to just treat a person visually and physically but also mentally and spiritually.
In addition to what experience you offer at your sustainable farmhouse, you can also arrange walks to the nearby villages or to the lake or a small trek based on where your vacation rental is situated.
Source: https://charlieontravel.com/what-is-sustainable-travel/
We all should ask ourselves, if it would be sustainable at all to have solar panels all over the place but not considering the materials that you use for constructing a sustainable farmhouse or a vacation rental?
Making provision for water conservation won't be enough if you plan to have mindless glass openings that make your vacation rental hot and an uncomfortable place that needs major air conditioning. It is almost like creating a problem first and then finding the solution.
If you are willing to create a sustainable experience at your farmhouse but are confused and overwhelmed by all the available alternatives and options, Get in touch by clicking the button below and we will be happy to help you out.
At Dhool Design Studio we help holiday home owners to build rentals that are connected with nature to attract more quality guests who are willing to pay premium prices for it.
DHOOL DESIGN STUDIO
Huzefa Bandukwala
Vacation Rental Design Strategist
How to turn your vacant piece of land into a profitable Vacation Rental
How to turn your vacant piece of land into a
DHOOL DESIGN STUDIO
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