Home to contemporary properties designed by many of the world’s leading architects, including RIBA Stirling prize winner David Chipperfield, BOM SUCESSO has committed to reduce carbon emissions and has signed a Carbon Social Protocol with the local, Óbidos, town hall. All properties have roof gardens and water conservation devices installed. Homes in the latest phase 3 will have solar thermal hot water provision. The golf course is irrigated from harvested rainwater held in lakes which is automatically drawn when required, depending on the prevailing local weather conditions as relayed from a local meteorological station.

• zero-carbon

Phase 3 will incorporate a new solar heating energy plant, providing hot water to all the houses in the village. All villas and resort facilities will feature roof gardens and climbing plants with gardens arranged according to a carefully planned landscape project. The effect will be to reduce solar gain in sunshine, reduce the energy requirement and consumption from air conditioning by 25 per cent and to provide thermal warmth during colder periods. All lighting in communal and private buildings is provided by low consumption light bulbs. Direct carbon offsetting is being practised by the planting of more than 2,000 trees and plants onsite.

• zero-waste

As is commonplace in Portugal, a recycling programme has been initiated at the site, in a partnership with Obidos, to regularly collect and recycle non-organic waste (paper, cardboard, glass and plastic). Construction waste is recycled.

• sustainable water

All properties have been designed with sophisticated drainage to capture rainwater, which is then used for irrigation purposes on the golf course and in the surrounding ecosystem. Three man-made lakes will restore and distribute water; a weather forecast site station dictates irrigation needs and maintains the lowest possible level required based on a scientifically based and programmed detection method. The grass species and plants used onsite and on the properties’ roofs have been carefully selected for their low irrigation needs. All WCs have low-flush mechanisms installed.

• local and sustainable building materials

Only materials with environmental certification have been used during construction. More than 1,200 olive trees (some over 100 old) would have otherwise been cut down have been re-planted from a different area in south Portugal which was reclassified for non-agricultural use. More than 1,000 pine trees have been planted, replacing eucalyptuses that were initially in that land.

• sustainable transport

Electric buggies are provided at the golf course. There are internal shuttles for people to move across the resort as well as down to the lagoon and to the beach. An agreement with the local, Obidos, town hall to share local buses to take residents and guests to and from the resort to other locations in the vicinity as required.

Le Domaine du Bois des Harcholins is an environmentally sustainable sports and leisure development. Built to High Environmental Quality ® measures, it has been designed to provide noise and heat insulation (insulation is above legal requirements RT 2005 -20%), and the cottages will be THPE (High Energy Efficiency Building) certified. Once opened, it will be audited to reach the ISO14001 requirements.

• zero-carbon

Different renewable energy sources will be used onsite, including a wood and gas boiler to provide 80% of energy requirements for the heating of the main central facilities. Solar panels will be used for hot water in some buildings, and energy-reduction and power-saving measures initiated.

• zero-waste

Waste sorting and recycling will be managed and followed. Each cottage is equipped with recycling bins. Suppliers are asked to minimise packaging and recycle or reuse. Organic waste is composted and used as a nutrient for gardening.

• sustainable water

The legislation in France does not allow the use of rainwater inside of buildings (toilets, for example) but all rainwater from the central facilities will be harvested and used for the lagoon and the lake to contribute to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity.

• local and sustainable building materials

The construction of cottages and the structure of the central facilities will be in wood grown in either local or sustainable development certified forests. P&V has a policy to promote the use of renewable, recyclable and eco-certified materials for construction.

• sustainable transport

P&V will create a car-free development with electric shuttles to transport visitors around the village. Cottages will be connected to the rest of the development by pedestrian and cycle tracks. Parking is restricted to beltways around the development. High-speed train connections from Paris by TGV, reducing 80% of CO2 emissions over the equivalent journey by plane, are operational.

A green building charter (charte Chantier Vert) has been adopted at Domaine du Lac d'Ailette. An environmental quality manager is in situ. Innovations implemented include stringent water reduction policies such as an automated management water usage system that enables the early detection of irregular water usage and leaks.

• zero-carbon

Energy saving lights and thermostat enabling heating adjustment have been installed; an energy saving motivation campaign initiated.

• zero-waste

Site waste is pre-sorted. 1,380 tonnes of waste was recycled between January and October 2006 (saving €36,000/ £24,500).

• sustainable water

Automated management system; double continence toilet flush, push taps and water flow reduction systems; large buildings water cooled from onsite lake.

• local and sustainable building materials

Site is a pilot project of new French sustainable building certification (HQE), applicable to buildings in the tourism industry.

• sustainable transport

Development is car-free, bike and walking trails are plentiful. The promotion of the use of public transport to reach site is underway.