The Buckland and Environmental Sustainability

We firmly believe that each and everyone of us needs to commit to more environmentally sustainable ways of life. The Buckland-Studio Retreat was designed and built with environmental sustainability as one of its main goals (besides of course the aim to pamper our guests and to provide luxury and stylish accommodation with a difference). The design concept of The Buckland embraces the following initiatives:
  • Use of passive solar principles:
    • all living areas face north
    • cantilevered roofs over the decks keep the summer sun out and allow the winter sun to help minimize heating
  • a masonry wall to the west protects from too much sun in summer and harsh winds in winter (studios one to four)
  • all windows/doors are aligned to facilitate cross breezes for pleasant temperatures, even during hot day.
  • seals are fitted to all doors/windows to minimize drafts
  • wrap around insulation envelopes roof, walls and floors
  • all our windows are double glazed (No. 5's windows are also tinted)
  • solar heat pumps provide hot water for studios one to four and No. 5 has a roof mounted solor hot water sytem with electric back-up booster
  • water efficient showers heads and toilet cisterns are installed in all buildings
  • all rainwater is collected in tanks.

Ongoing environmental initiatives include:

  • We use microfibre cleaning products in place of chemicals where appropriate
  • We exclusively use (and pay a premium for)“Green Energy”
  • We separate and recycle all rubbish (with voluntary guest involvement)
  • We line dry all bed linen (wheather permitting)
  • We follow an ongoing planting program: 2500 native shrubs and trees planted so far, with another 5000 plants to be planted over the next 5 years.
  • We do not provide spa baths in our studios because we believe that they are not environmentally sustainable in their use of water (but of course you can still have fun under the water efficient double rainwater showers with private bush outlook....)
  • We are currently undergoing a complete audit of all light fixtures for Studios one to four with the aim to have all conventional (iridecent) light bulbs replaced with energy saving low voltage light bulbs as soon as practical.

Our aim is to create a luxury, yet sustainable retreat by continously working on minimizing our carbon foot print without compromising the comfort of our guests in any way.