2 minute read
Bill Bensley on respect for nature in spa design
Buildings should honour the landscape in which they stand, and upcycling, solar power, composting and plastic reduction all have a part to play
Respected for his award-winning hotels, landscaping and interior designs, Bill Bensley is a passionate conservationist and philanthropist with a unique take on spa and resort development.
“Be respectful of the land you have been given to develop,” he states. “Build in a place of natural beauty wherever possible, creating a sense of place, peace and tranquillity.
“Focus on the preservation of energy, be it by way of solar power harvesting, or building intelligently to reduce energy consumption. The principle of minimal intervention focuses on the conservation of the natural contours of the site, and how to adapt designs to fit them.”
Bensley believes the power of the sun can be harnessed in several ways. “When designing use natural light from both sides of a room,” he says. “Also, solar panels can save hotels up to
35% on heating, power and lighting. Depending on the system and energy prices, instalment costs can be offset in 4-12 years.”
Upcycling to reduce footprint
In addition to locally sourced materials, Bensley urges people to think outside the box when it comes to design. “I love to use tents for hospitality projects because their eco footprint can be so very light. And for years I have advocated and practiced breathing new life into old objects. At our newly opened InterContinental Khao Yai Thailand we have taken upcycling to a new level in that our spa is housed in an old Thai train carriage.
“New standards should include basic equipment to avoid wasting natural resources. These can include a water bottling plant, compost shredder, composting system, refillable bathroom amenities, and a set of Igloo boxes to clean plastic out of the supply chain.” www.bensley.com
