Oceano Village, a net-zero carbon community in development, which is located on the Caribbean island of Roatan, 30 miles off the coast of Honduras, is continuing to take shape. The Canadian based developers, headed up by architect Dan Jenkins, have retained environmental consultants Alistair Haughton and team at ARG Services, who will be providing sustainable water treatment and alternative power solutions.
Completion is scheduled three years hence, and the infrastructure work continues apace. The stabilization fabric is in place and a gravel base is being laid. There are over 190 workers on-site, and the construction camp and offices are complete. A new well is supplying water for the camp and for concrete mixing, and water storage tanks are being buried nearby.
Principal architect Jenkins, whose brainchild Oceano Village is, says: “The objective is to create a net-zero community – to close the waste and pollution loops, cleanly generate our own electricity, and minimize the need to bring anything in or out. As we do this, we strive to create a perfect model of a new kind of development, a more ‘humanly-scaled’ development that works with nature – not against it. We are on an unprecedented course, and I believe Oceano Village will set a standard for the rest of the world to follow.”
Roatan Island is perhaps best known for its superb reef which is the second longest in the world. Distinctly Caribbean in its atmosphere – the native Spanish speaking islanders (who speak English too) are laid back – and with white sand beaches, the island is popular with scuba-divers, as well as holidaymakers from North America, Asia and Europe. Only 33 miles long by a couple wide at its broadest Roatan offers great sailing waters and a relaxed pace of life; Oceano Village provides it not at the expense of the environment and at an affordable price.
Property prices start from $238,000 (£120,000) for a one-bedroom 50m2 apartment in the Village Green cluster of Oceano Village. The architectural styles will be familiar to many people as some are inspired by Miami’s Art Deco South Beach, while others are a take on Georgian Colonial, which is popular in the Caribbean. The cosmopolitan mix of architectural styles and varying shapes, sizes and heights of the buildings creates a diverse built environment where energy conservation is the first point of emphasis.
The properties are orientated to take advantage of prevailing winds to cool the homes naturally rather than rely on air-conditioning. Additionally, all pre-installed appliances are high energy-efficient rated. Secondly, renewable energy sources are being installed to power the homes and boutique hotel being developed on the 103-acre site. Solar thermal will provide the water heating requirements, while wind turbines and photovoltaic arrays will produce onsite electricity for the properties and also for the water aquifer.
Described as a ‘closed loop’ water treatment system, the aquifer means will organically clean grey (and even black/sewage) water for irrigation use – although it is said it will be of drinkable quality once treated. Jenkins says it is only a matter of time before the resort will be net-zero carbon. “Once the island’s electricity provider accepts reverse metering (being able to receive as well as supply) we will be in a position to sell the excess to them and draw a top up when required. It will be the final piece in the sustainable jigsaw at Oceano Village.”
