Sourcing Certified Timber for Maldives Sustainable Resort Features
A sustainable timber supply chain for Patina Maldives Resort is one part of the developer’s quest to build for perpetuity
By Floyd Cowan
Visitors to the Maldives immediately become aware of its precious fragile environment and most guests are sensitive to the need to protect and preserve it. When Pontiac Land of Singapore decided to build a new resort in this pristine paradise, they took every imaginable step to be as sustainable as possible. Zero-waste kitchens and recycling marine plastic are just the beginning of their efforts.
Sanctuary and Stimulation
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship property from the sophisticated new lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, the latest hospitality concept by Capella Hotel Group. Designed by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, Patina Maldives offers 90 contemporary one- to three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas, alongside 20 Fari Studios, all of which embody a harmony of sanctuary and stimulation.
The new resort not only uses PEFC-certified timber in its construction, but the onsite James Turrell Skyspace is PEFC Project Certified by Venturer Timberwork of Singapore. DoubleHelix was engaged to map the timber supply chain for the featured Skyspace and verify the flow of certified timber along it, tracking it from PEFC-certified European forests to the Indian Ocean island. All this information is transparently presented in Sourcemap, accessible to anyone who cares to explore further.
Sustainable Practices
Marco den Ouden, General Manager, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands pointed out, "During the construction of Patina Maldives, energy consumption was reduced by an estimated 12% through sustainable practices such as the use of prefabricated materials, which significantly reduced waste and carbon emissions when compared to conventional construction methods. Locally sourced, biodegradable and reusable materials were used wherever possible; all timber is PEFC-certified and sourced from 100% certified supply chains.
As part of Patina Maldives’ commitment towards reliance on renewable energy, other plans are in place to expand its Swimsol solar plant to provide 50 percent of the resort’s energy needs by 2030. The resort’s energy-positive ethos is further demonstrated by participation in global carbon sequester programmes that neutralise its carbon output. Future plans include investing in long-term Blue Carbon partnerships and a solar-powered transportation fleet.
“Patina Maldives, Fari Islands,” states Mr. den Ouden, “is well aware of the global challenges that are affecting the worldwide carbon footprint. Our archipelago at Fari Islands provides us with a scalable opportunity to positively impact our construction, supply chain, operational standards, marine biosphere, and most importantly, community, directly. This has been our driving intent and the main inspiration for Perpetuality, our ethos. It will continue to help us identify targeted and innovative collaborations in the near- and long-term future. We are humbled and impressed with the global knowledge and support that we have received from our partners thus far and remain positive about their perpetual contributions to Patina Maldives now and in times ahead.”