The Brando is one of the most luxurious eco-resorts on the planet, nestling on an atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It's the last place you might think to find pioneering technology. But you'd be surprised.
The Brando resort on Tetiaroa - a stunning atoll north of Tahiti - is the epitome of luxurious exclusivity. Two-room bungalows start from €3,700 (£3,200) a night.
Formerly owned by Hollywood legend Marlon Brando, who was keen that it should become an ecological haven, it has now developed in to a hideaway for the rich and famous seeking conscience-soothing holidays that do less harm to the planet.
While some have dismissed the resort as an "island for liberal elites" - Beyoncé and Barack Obama were recent guests - current owner Richard Bailey claims it is close to becoming "carbon neutral and self-sustainable".
Electricity at the complex, for example, is generated from solar panels and coconut oil biofuel, while waste water is used for sustainable irrigation.
And the resort's cooling system uses a "closed loop heat exchanger" that takes very cold sea water from 900m (2,950ft) below the surface of the Pacific Ocean to cool the fresh water and air circulating round the complex.
About Sustainable development
Sustainable development is about meeting basic needs in the present without compromising our possibilities of continuing to do so in the future. Environmental, social and economic sustainability is our Alpha and Omega – a key strand of the Montgolfier DNA on which there is no compromise.
At Montgolfier, we are unified by the objective to make the world a better place. We do this by creating architecture that contributes to positive development of our society, by providing cutting-edge expertise and strategic partnerships, by guiding, engaging and co-creating with clients, users and the wider world from a sustainability perspective. We also do it through practising what we preach, minimising our environmental impact, maintaining a sustainable psychosocial work environment and running a financially sustainable business.
Cutting-edge expertise
Our knowledge, experience and dedication to sustainability has been formed over decades. Among other disciplines, we currently provide extensive expertise in project planning and coordination of certification within the European systems for environmental building. Our team includes specialists on the European Environmental Building certification system, passive building technology and material selection, to name a few. Our employees can coordinate the entire certification process, from concept to completed project.
Montgolfier eco real estate project contributes to and complies with the UN’s 17 goals on sustainable development, the UN Habitat III New Urban Agenda.
Montgolfier provides sustainability services in the following areas:
Environmental certification and coordination for building design
Sustainable urban construction
Energy calculation
Construction materials and damp proofing
Indoor environment and daylight
Montgolfier Appliance Selection (example the Magic Mirror, The Cube)
