If you happen to be visiting New Haven Connecticut, there’s a boutique hotel set to debut in the Fall of 2021 after going through a major rehabilitation. That doesn’t sound all that interesting until you consider that Hotel Marcel will be the first with net-zero emissions in the United States!
Originally completed as an office building back in 1970, the building was bought by Ikea in 2003 and has been sitting empty ever since. In 2018 Bruce Becker, and his architectural firm Becker and Becker, bought the property for $1.2 million (with a few caveats: 10% of furniture used will be IKEA). Becker’s firm specializes in “working green” and has helped restore many historical buildings. To make the Hotel Marcel zero-net, he pulled out all the bells and whistles through the following:
- The roof will contain solar panels along with the parking canopies.
- The hotel will generate 100% of its own electricity, heat, and hot water.
- The structure itself is LEED platinum-certified, a rarity in the hotel world.
- It will be the first all-electric hotel in the United States – meaning – everything will be powered by renewable on-site energy.
- High-performance, triple-glazed windows to provide ultra-efficient insulation will be installed.
- Built-in sheer and blackout window shades that will help reduce lighting energy by 30%.
- Have an electric car? Hotel Marcel will have 12 Tesla Superchargers and level-two EV chargers.
If you’re curious about other hotels around the world that are helping to protect and restore the places we live and vacation, here are a few others of note:
- The Brando in Tahiti. This resort is also LEED platinum-certified and is carbon neutral. It utilizes a seawater system, coconut oil, and solar panels to produce renewable electricity for lights and air conditioning. It collects rainwater for plumbing and laundry. Guests can participate as well by taking on-island courses on eco-technology, coral reefs, and local animal life.
- Song Saa in Cambodia. Located on a private island, this resort has a philanthropic arm known as the Song Saa Foundation. Its mission is aimed at social and community development (such as employment opportunities and medical clinics). It also has serious goals towards the protection of its lands. The owners of the foundation founded Cambodia’s first marine reserve which supports community fisheries, local mangroves, and rainforest restoration programs.
- Limalimo Lodge in Ethiopia. This minimalist property is a study in sustainability. The 12-room outpost incorporates living roofs and rainwater harvesting systems into its design. The most tangible feature though is the mandatory $10/night conservation fee. This money goes directly to conservation efforts happening inside the Simien Mountains National Park.
Here at the Stump Farm, where White Raven Financial is located, we have worm bins to help fertilize the gardens scattered around the property. But these aren’t just your typical worm bins. After staying at a resort in New Zealand that encouraged guests to throw away their compost (food scraps) in their own worm bins, the owners of the Stump Farm noticed they used compartments in their bins rather than huge, solid buckets. The compartments make it easier to pull out the worm castings instead of digging inside the bin. There is also a spigot attached so you can pour out that sweet, sweet worm juice aka liquid fertilizer.
Thanks for reading!
