A Blueprint for Sustainable Design PART 2 A sustainable business is one that looks after both people and planet says Juliet Kinsman, as she addresses the need to consider the socio-economic impact of every decision made.
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ustainability isn’t merely about the
we’ve lent to other industries such as fashion,
construction or the hardware of a
which has driven surprising, results.” Uxua
hotel, or simply to do with scrutinising
had the bold ambition of wanting to save the
environmental impact; it’s about the hotel’s
traditional craft industry from extinction, where
effect on the welfare of human beings, today
they felt it was heading when Shevlin and ex-
and tomorrow. It concerns how we employ,
Diesel Creative Director Wilbert Das arrived in
from whom we source furnishings, the way the
2004. Over the years their collaborations have
design benefits community. Being ‘eco’ is often
made cover stars of the work of local artisans,
focused on mitigating negative physical impact
giving a new relevance to the traditional rustic
rather than actively striving for positive social
style. And as Shevlin acknowledges, nothing
impact, whether through cultural preservation,
persuades other businesses to emulate a
artistic enrichment, or through a strategy
competitor’s practices more than seeing they
that aims for longlasting health benefits for
are profitable. They have always aimed to
guests, team or the wider community. Simply
educate and empower as many of their village’s
put, sustainability is a hospitality business
residents as they can through their business
looking after all of its human stakeholders and
beyond employment, from setting up a Capoeira
considering the socio-economic impact of every
Academy to sponsoring numerous students to
single decision made.
further their education.
Using interiors to educate is powerful. “In the
In Mozambique, a compelling tale of how
leisure travel sector we have a great opportunity
a design hotel can do good is being written
to shape how our clients experience a
with the creation of Kisawa Sanctuary. The
destination,” says Bob Shevlin of Uxua in Brazil.
3D design aspect of this high-end low-impact
At this cluster of re-fashioned 16th century
intimate resort opening imminently in a WWF
homes in Trancoso, the ex-pat hosts have
National Marine Park was what first grabbed
always had it front-of-mind for guests making
press interest. But it’s about much more than
meaningful connections with local culture,
the innovative technology that involves printing
nature, crafts, while giving back to the former
tiling by alchemising sand and seawater
fishing village. “In our case, applying to local
(replenishable natural materials). It’s about the
social and environmental challenges the same
nurturing of the islanders and shaping a new
mix of creativity and professional competence,
cultural narrative for this super-low-GDP civil-
