A 20-foot shipping container converted into an off-grid oasis deep in the Catskills Mountains of New York State, is a demonstration of eco-friendly and sustainable living at its most simplistic. Despite it being a bit too extreme for some, it certainly does teach us about green living and the process of thinking outside the box when it come to home renovation and interior design.
Thanks to the advice and inspiration from Dezeen’s Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Design archive, you can build the bathroom of your dreams according to an ecological approach. Some important points to consider, as outlined in this article, is the choice of materials that withstand time, an efficient heating system and sanitary fixtures that save water. Good sense and foresight will ensure the elements of your bathroom have an optimal life.
Materials
In a recent interview with Iseult Uhlemann, chief Interior Designer at IKEA Dublin, “The Blurred Boundaries trend stems from an increased desire for people to reconnect with the natural world by spending more time enjoying nature”. An example being wall panels made of natural fibers such as coconut and sisal, the fibers of the agave tree, absorb humidity incredibly well. This may sound like a bad idea, but when combined with an effective ventilation system, moisture evaporates incredibly quickly from the room.
Wooden flooring and paneling is a common feature in modern bathroom design. An important point to note in regards to such products, is to ensure that it bears the seal of the Forest Stewardship Council. As this guarantees that the wood comes from sustainable forestry and it does not contribute to the deforestation of rainforests around the world. To offer a substitute to wood-based substrates, the specialist manufacturer, Polyrey; has developed plaster melamine paneling which contains less formaldehyde and has better fire-resistant properties.
Linoleum (Lino) may have fallen from grace at one time, but it is currently experiencing a revival because of its eco-friendly constituent elements (linseed oil, wood flour, cork and burlap). The material requires less energy to manufacture, and its bright designs are well adapted to current interior trends. The city of Kirkcaldy in Fife was world-renowned as the Centre of Lino manufacturing for generations. In recent years some factories have re-opened because of the eco-friendliness of the product, and are now providing welcome employment to the skilled workforce in that area of Scotland.
Heating Systems
In regards to heating, the installation of a modern boiler system which includes programmable and finely tuned thermostats, ensures bathroom radiators and water heating are only triggered when necessary; in addition to selecting the most environmentally friendly and best suited heating mode for a particular area of your home.
For ecological insulation materials, should you be in the process of building a home from scratch. Hemp and linen wool are 100% natural, light and strong with many advantages like; space saving, recyclability and resistance to moisture. Its price remains three to four times higher than fiberglass products. however it has a very good coefficient of thermal absorption in winter and is superior in the summer, because it allows heat to flow through.
Saving Water
Waste water recycling systems for the bathroom are composed of several compartments and works as follows:
- Filtered elements, unwanted particles such as hair, textile fibers, etc., are released into the sewer system.
- The filter then undergoes an automatic and regular counter current cleaning.
- Bacteria break down impurities in the filtration and recycling chambers, which is then cleaned with a water pump every 3 hours.
- Sediments generated by the cleaning process are removed to the sewer system. Before the water arrives in the clear water tanks, it is disinfected.
- If the recycled water tank falls below a defined level, the system is replenished with drinking water. The system is self-cleaning, requires no chemicals, is silent and odorless.
If you are interested in having a newly fitted boiler installation in London, whether it be for a eco-friendly or traditional system using a Combi-Boiler, System Boiler, Conventional Boiler or Back Boiler – contact Marvel Plumbing today for a free quote.
