Building on his reputation for green resorts, Stanley Selengut has finished work on four energy-efficient studios at his Estate Concordia Preserve on St. John.
"They’re ready for occupancy," Maggie Day, vice-president of Maho Bay Camps and Concordia, said.
The resort already has 25 eco tents and 9 of the studios that were on the property when Selengut bought it. He also owns Maho Bay Camps and its adjacent Harmony Studios. Harmony was touted as the latest word in green building when it opened in the early 1990s.
However, the new Concordia studios take energy efficiency to a new level, he said.
The location, located far out on the island’s southeast corner, is hot. Make that very hot.
"It’s an incredibly hot location," Day said.
The keep the units cool, Concordia has panels similar to those used in refrigeration. They provide insulation to keep the heat out.
"It’s a potential alternative to concrete," Selengut said.
Selengut said that in concrete-based construction, the panels are precut and construction costs are thus lower. And they generate much less waste, which Selengut said helps the environment.
The units have windows that allow guests to take advantage of the breezes. Additionally, the windows are wind resistant to 170 mph, a plus in this hurricane zone.
The units don’t have air conditioning, but Day said that if it turns out the units aren’t cool enough during the summer months it can be added. Selengut said that because the studios are so well insulated, if it becomes necessary to air condition them, they will use much less energy than units installed in conventional buildings.
The kitchen and bathroom counters were manufactured at Maho using chips of bottles and concrete. The kitchen counter is white with flecks of brown, probably from Budweiser bottles, Day said.
Maho uses its waste glass to make many decorative objects, but Selengut said this was the first time they could use the brown bottles. He said each counter uses about 40 bottles.
The bathroom counter has specks of green.
"Perrier and Heineken," Day said.
Of course, there are compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs throughout, but the outside and studio fixtures are made at Maho of recycled glass. The decks are made of low-maintenance composite lumber called Trex.
The studios have Energy Star appliances that include a small refrigerator and electric stove top. Solar panels sit on the roof to provide hot water.
Day said she, architect Glen Speer and the crew paid a lot of attention to placing the units. The land was hand cleared, which allowed the maximum amount of vegetation to remain.
"We spent weeks siting the buildings to keep the pipe organ cactus," Day said.
Work will begin shortly on the next four units, Day said. Ultimately the goal is to have a total of 25 of the energy-efficient studios at Concordia. Day said with that number, the resort will be able to afford amenities such as a shuttle to and from Cruz Bay so guests don’t have to have a vehicle.
Additionally, Day said, Selengut is expanding the Concordia operation because he fears that when Maho’s lease runs out in 2012, he’ll have to close that operation. Maho is on land leased from the Giri Giri Corporation. The Trust for Public Land is negotiating with the Giri Giri owners so Maho can remain.
The new studios rent for $250 a night in the winter season and $160 a night during the summer.
Further information can be obtained by calling 800-392-9004 or visiting the website www.mahobay.com.
