During the last half-century, the world’s population has grown and become more prosperous, placing unprecedented strains on the environment and challenging the ability of the earth to sustain itself. And architects are trying their best to design structures that decrease their carbon footprint and inspire a sustainable and clean lifestyle. Homes, offices, hotels – almost every type of building is being turned into a sustainable structure. So, why should cabins not be included in this mix?
While a vacation into nature often inspires ideas of days strolling in the woods and appreciating greenery, these eco-friendly cabins offer a different way to experience our ecosystem, and if we can do that in a sustainable way, then why not?
Just visualize waking up to a 360-degree view surrounded by hills and waterfalls or spend an evening admiring the birds flying around a suspended cabin. From striking A-frames to glass-clad cubes, located amongst the world’s most spectacular sights, guests gain relinquishing experiences in the countryside without compromising modern comforts or incredible design.
One such Sustainable Cabin design that provides the perfect architectural escapism in an eco-friendly style is the Eco Hotel in Barahona, Dominican Republic.
Eco Hotel in Barahona – Innovative Sustainable Cabins
Designed by César Langa, an established leader in the architectural field, this project arose as an idea by the architect for some foreign investors. It deals with self-sustaining cabins on a hill in Barahona, designed with the “surface runoff water harvesting” system implemented to reuse the rainwater that slides between the bamboo profiles of each bamboo facade. Then this rainwater is used to flush toilets. It is estimated to keep all the trees in the area.
Each unit produces its electrical energy with solar panels designed by Tesla Motors and supplies to the low-consumption air conditioners. To insulate each cabin from the heat, thick walls of mud and clay are built, which, unlike cement, reduce environmental pollution.
The “A-frame” shape of the cabins helps keep them less hot due to their height. There are two windows provided at the top of each cottage that allows cross ventilation.
Once open to the public, the use of plastic bottles within the project will not be allowed.
César Langa – The Renowned Architect of Barahona’s Eco Hotel
The expertise of some 14 years in architecture, sustainable design, and project management supports the work of César Langa, a young architect specializing in hotels, skyscrapers, luxury homes, and LEED construction, ensures that each of his propositions complies with the ADA and that they meet the standards of the firms they represent.
After graduating with a master’s degree in Advanced Architecture from Columbia University in 2013, he worked for the Japanese firm Nobutaka Ashihara where he was part of the team that designed the tallest hotel in the United States, located in Midtown Manhattan, New York (Courtyard by Marriot Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott. Manhattan).
Currently, César works from Santo Domingo for the firm Gene Kaufman – Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects (NYC), in which he manages large-scale projects such as boutique hotels and luxury residential towers, in addition to the projects he has worked on in the Dominican Republic with the firm César Langa Architecture & Construction, founded by his father in 1985, which has a broad portfolio of tourism and hotel projects throughout the Dominican territory.
