Eco Factor: Water-powered hotel uses energy-efficient strategies to make itself sustainable.
RAU and Powerhouse Company have planned a sustainable luxury hotel for Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The high-tech building design is powered by water and embraces several other energy-efficient strategies which make it a carbon neutral, net-zero hotel for a modern world.
H20tel situated along river Amstel in Amsterdam utilizes water as the main carrier of energy and employs oxy-hydrogen generators for heating, cooling, cooking and electricity generation. The buildings’ passive design combined with installation of smart appliances and climate system monitors increase its sustainability.
The hotel has a solar passive design to minimize heat gain in the room. Its façade consists of a dense arrangement of wooden lamellas protects it from overheating while at the same time ensuring sufficient sunlight. It offers panoramic views of the city itself as well.
The inventive design principle also includes a large atrium that intersects the building, thereby maximizing space within the hotel. Smart energy-efficient appliances which include sensor-based climate system monitors to adjust the level of conditioning and automatic switch off lights for empty rooms to help save at least 40% of the building’s energy consumption.
Via: Inhabitat
