17-10-2011

Eco-tourism facility balances conservation and visitor needs

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Eco-tourism facility balances conservation and visitor needs


The Oudebos Mountain Camp by South African firm Architecture co-op is tucked into the Kogelberg Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Cape Floral area. The design recently received an acknowledgement prize during the 2011 regional Holcim Awards for Sustainable Architecture for Africa and the Middle East.
 
An hour’s drive from Cape Town, the camp has been designed to replace an existing facility and balance the demands of tourism and the need for preservation. The project includes landscape restoration, parking, infrastructure, sleeping accommodations and even a natural wetlands pool where visitors can enjoy recreational swimming.
 
The camp includes five self-sufficient cabins and a small conference space, all lightweight, stilted structures that blend into their natural surroundings. Largely prefabricated off-site, the buildings consist of frames made of local or recycled wood and insulated panels, topped with planted roofs. The project as a whole calls for natural, renewable, low-embodied energy, non-toxic local materials.

Inside, water is provided through the sustainable use of a mountain stream, and self-composting toilets and low-flow showers ensure its conservation. Grey water, filtered through natural mulch basins and reed beds, irrigates the vegetation.
   
Extensive use of cross ventilation, natural lighting and low-energy systems such as solar water heating, closed combustion fire, gas cooking and LED lighting greatly reduce energy demands. Shades protect the interior from the hot sun, and even the light fixtures are made of recycled bottles!
 
Construction began in November 2010, and is currently still in progress. Once completed, this low-impact eco-tourism facility will allow visitors to enjoy nature while also increasing their awareness of environmental conservation issues.


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