Trava demonstrates green-worthy living
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:23:00 +0000
MORE and more upscale house hunters are clamouring for sustainable homes. It seems there is a shift from mere plush lifestyle to a more mindful consumption, including choices in homes and its interiors.
Eco-friendly homes are not just an ongoing trend in the high-end residences market. For visionary property developer Greenfield Development Corporation, it definitely defines the future. Luxury can thrive with genuine care for nature as it is made possible by Trava in Greenfield City at Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This 33-hectare ultra-luxe community under Greenfield Deluxe is touted as the benchmark for future residential developments as it leads the way towards green architecture in the real estate industry.
As people become increasingly sensitive to climate change and other environmental issues, it is not enough to live in an eco-friendly community. The practice of sustainability is no longer optional but essential even in the design of lavish, lush homes.
Here are some practical design tips and ideas for green-worthy homes:
1. Use of sustainable building materials
Natural, recyclable and non-toxic materials get the nod of green architecture proponents. Examples are bio-based flooring from renewable sources with a life cycle that has minimal environmental impact such as bamboo and coco lumber. Another indigenous material that is gaining ground is the rice ash hull cement.
Engineered wood and recycled, natural materials are some of the components of a Trava house model that make it a nourishing haven for families to grow and thrive. They are also made with low-emission glass to minimize ultraviolet and infrared light inside the rooms, odourless paint, and permeable pavers on the driveways and patios.
Filling up your home with furniture and accessories made from upcycled materials is also helpful to nature as it curtails the amount of waste products while maximizing the purpose of existing resources. There are now chairs, lamps and chandeliers that can be created from upcycled plastic bottles. Bespoke furnishings made of reclaimed wood allow owners to collect wooden furniture without sacrificing new trees.
2. Alternative source of energy
Electricity in the Philippines is not cheap. Installing solar panels as an alternative source of
power will not only reduce your bills but will help lessen the environmental impact of generating non-renewable energy. The grand clubhouse at Trava, for example, is built with solar panels on the roof to reduce the upscale community’s non-renewable energy consumption.
3. Green roof and green wall
Rooftop and vertical gardens are said to lift moods. They also reduce the surface temperature of the roof and walls, serving as passive cooling. Plants are natural air filters so if augmented with technology, a smart green wall can noticeably purify the surrounding air.
4. Start a garden
The advantage of buying a township property is that there is enough space to cultivate an outdoor garden. Located in a suburban enclave, the sprawling spaces at Trava give more than 550sqm of space for families yearning for well-appointed homes where they can also plant herbs or fruit-bearing trees to garnish meals with fresh, organic produce.
Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or for growing organic plant-based food, the benefits of greeneries to the environment are immeasurable. Trees collect rainwater while plants in general absorb carbon dioxide and act as a natural screen against dust and pollution.
5. Choose plant species that are native to the area
Not all plants are the same. Choose your plants carefully and take into consideration the climate and soil condition in your area. Some plants are invasive that they can damage and destroy local species. Bringing in plants from a colder region to a tropical country is likewise unwise and futile. Opt for plants that are native to the area. They are easier to maintain and will not require expensive fertilizers and chemical supplements to grow.
6. Rain water harvesting
When it rains, it pours. This is especially true during rainy and habagat season in the Philippines. Rainwater is free and can be used for irrigating a vegetable garden and cleaning the house. Some even use it for laundry. There are different easy ways to install a rain harvesting system which can be found on the Internet. Or a home owner can hire an expert to build one.
7. Green appliances
The payback for energy-efficient appliances goes beyond savings in energy consumption. The bigger benefit is that there will be lesser emissions of pollutants from the generation of electricity.
Check for the Energy Star rating. It’s a seal of approval that a particular appliance is energy efficient. The more stars are highlighted, the higher its efficiency.
The Energy Rating label, on the other hand, indicates the performance of the appliance and
how much it will cost to run.
8. Natural ventilation and lighting
Skylights, large windows, high ceilings, water features and the use of bamboo furniture are just some of the techniques that can be employed to encourage passive ventilation and minimize use of artificial lighting.
9. Embrace organic and natural products
Cleaning products and personal toiletries are some of the biggest air pollutants. Natural products contain few or no ingredients that can interact and produce toxins that are harmful to the health of its occupants. In comparison, many conventional cleaning brands contain non-biodegradable ingredients from non-renewable sources.
These are some of the essentials that set the ambiance of a luxury, green home. And what better way to maintain the priceless long-term rewards in being close to nature than to live in a community that values the same ideals as its sustainability-minded residents.
Trava under Greenfield’s ultra-luxe brand Greenfield Deluxe rises above and beyond what even the most discerning homebuyer has come to expect especially in enabling green-worthy practices, which can be utilized as one’s personal contribution to preserving the Earth’s resources.