Tartaruga Bay is an environmentally friendly coastal estate, designed for ecological protection and resource-efficiency.

Our buildings are designed to protect occupant health; improve employee productivity; use energy, water, and other resources more efficiently; and reducing the overall impact to the environment.

Siting

• Sites have been placed to protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features.

• Indigenous plants have low water and pesticide needs and generate minimum plant trimmings.

• Compost and mulches will be used to save water and time.

Energy Efficiency

• Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of natural lighting. 

• Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. Studies have shown that it has a positive impact on productivity and well-being.

• Installation of high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. Include motion sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Task lighting reduces general overhead light levels.

• Use of a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell.

• Use of light colors for  wall finish materials; install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation.

• Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.

• The use of alternative energy sources such as photovoltaics and fuel cells in certain areas.

Materials Efficiency

• Tartaruga Bay will use construction products that have been evaluated for reused and recycled content, zero or low harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials, high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production.

• ZincAlume thin metal frame construction has a 300-year+ lifetime expectancy (see www.framecad.com

• The use of engineered hardwood walkways and decks instead of indigenous hardwoods will:

  • a) conserve Mozambique’s hardwood trees

  • b) minimize maintenance

  • c) drastically extend the replacement cycle and

  • d) make use of recycled plastics

• Dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies were employed.  These strategies reduce the amount of building materials needed and cut construction costs.

• Reuse and recycling of construction and demolition materials.  Inert demolition materials, will be used as a base course for a parking lot to keep materials out of landfills.

• The use of concrete has been minimized to reduce waste and construction site damage

• Design incorporates adequate space to facilitate recycling collection and incorporate a solid waste management program that prevents waste generation.

• All fittings have been chosen for maximum rust resistance and minimum maintenance to ensure a long repair and replacement cycle.

Water Efficiency

• Use of or a gray water system that recovers rainwater or other nonpotable water for site irrigation.

• Minimisation of wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, and other water conserving fixtures.

• Use of recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.

• The installation of point-of-use hot water heating systems where required.

• Landscaping will be kept to a bare minimum to avoid irrigation and excessive water use.

Guest Health and Safety

• Construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low emissions were chosen to improve indoor air quality

• Cooling systems will ensure adequate ventilation and proper filtration to have a dramatic and positive impact on indoor air quality.

• Indoor microbial contamination will be prevented through selection of materials resistant to microbial growth, provide effective drainage from the roof and surrounding landscape, install adequate ventilation in bathrooms, allow proper drainage of air-conditioning coils, and design other building systems to control humidity.

Building Operation and Maintenance

• Commissioning will include testing and adjusting of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to ensure that all equipment meets design criteria.

• Staff will be trained on the operation and maintenance of equipment.

• Building performance will be assured through measurement, adjustment, and upgrading.

• Proper maintenance will ensure that buildings continue to perform as designed and commissioned.

Conservation

• Minimum damage of dune flora will be done through the use of raised decks and walkways

• To prevent erosion of the fragile dune flora no internal roads will be constructed except for a boat launching avenue that guests will not be allowed to use.

• Because the Tartaruga Bay beach is a Green Turtle nesting site, a Conservation Committee has been established to:

  • police and prevent poaching of turtles and eggs

  • monitor and prevent spearfishing and netting by locals on the reefs

  • keep the beach clean

Farming

Tunnel farming of fresh herbs and vegetables will provide for guest and restaurant requirements.

The produce from these tunnel will be grown:

• without pesticides

• using vermiculture for compost

Conclusion

A green resort costs more during the construction phase saves through lower operating costs by applying a project life cycle cost analysis.

An integrated systems approach ensures that the building is designed as one system rather than a collection of stand-alone systems.