Green Development Features

Co-existence with Surrounding Nature

Preserved topography

Site plan and buildings formReflect the original topography.Building design responds to theSurrounding nature.

Green roof and wall

Rooftop of the spa：
Green roofs and walls, whichcorrespond with the surroundingnature, help energy conservation
by reducing heat loss.

Effective use oflocal materials

Symbolized pillar is 100 Years old Japanese Cedar from local forestArt pieces made of 100 Years old Japanese Cedar from local forestFront staircase made of local cypress. Spa floor using pebbles from Shimanto River Information counter board made of 100 Years Cedar
Local and domestic materials are chosen as many as possible in order to minimize CO2 discharge from transportation and respect the local history, culture, and economy.

Landscape design unified the nature

Various kinds of indigenous vegetation that suit the climate are planted around the buildings.

Use of Solar heat / light

Day lighting

North facing high-side windowsNatural light coming through the skylight windows
Exterior view of the skylight

Light shelf

Exterior view of light shelves in the south facing windowsInterior view of light shelves
Light shelves distribute daylight throughout the space, by reflecting light off its top surface to the ceiling.

Daylight
sensor,
Occupancy sensor

Ceiling daylight sensors: it isautomatically switched on or offwhen day lighting reaches a certain level.Ceiling occupancy sensors: it is automatically switched on or off with sensing the occupant.

Solar hot water system

Solar collectors placed on theroof. Storage tank placed in themechanical room
: The sun heats the water as itpasses through the collector andthen is circulated to a storage tank.

Photovoltaic system

Foundation base is provided on the roof for photovoltaic panels.

Soil

Earth tube
(Earth Tempering)

Trench under the floor (view during the construction)
The temperature of the ground several feet below the surface does not fluctuate much. It is warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the air temperature above. The earth tube system can cool incoming ventilation air in summer and warm it in winter.

Fermentation of Kitchen Waste

Device of kitchen wastefermentation with pieces of cedarthat could help fermentation：It reuses fresh garbage asfertilizer, reducing

Use of Natural Materials (Soil,Tosa plaster)

Local plaster wall, Tatami and Cedar flooring/Earth flooring/Cedar flooring.human-friendly Natural materials are used,, because they have function of moisture absorbing /discharging and  deodorizing.

Wind

Natural ventilation

Interior view of the upper windows for air exhaust (Bathhouse)
Exterior view of the lower windows for air supply  (Bathhouse)
：The range of temperature could move the air such as natural wind. The vertical distance between the inlets and outlets causes the air movement without electricity.

Water

Use of harvested rain
water

Collecting rain water from theroof into the storage tank forirrigation of plants and sanitaryusage.

Water-efficient equipment

・Water-efficient automatic
　　faucet
・Water closet which save
　　water
・Urinal sensor flush valve

Permeable pavement

The earth filters rainwater Absorbed through soil on its way to groundwater aquifers, streams, and rivers. Permeable pavement allows storm water to drain naturally through the soil below, rather than becoming runoff.

Recycling system of gray water

Piping (colored pink) is provided for the future adaptation.

Other features

High-efficient lights and appliances

• Compact fluorescent lamps (Slope) (Entrance)
  

• High efficient fluorescent lamps (Office)
  These high efficient lightingfixtures save energy and last longer

Minimize light pollution

Outside lighting in the gardenToo much artificial illumination in the nighttime environment affects the growth of animals / plants and obstructs stargazing. Lighting fixtures used outside minimize these impacts

Double-glazed glass

View of Lobby from outsideDouble glazed glasses, compared to single glazing, cuts heat loss in half due to the insulating air space between the glass layers. In addition to reducing the heat flow, a double-glazed unit allows the continuity between inside and outside nature with high visibility.

Thermal Insulation

Polystyrene Form Fiberglass
Thermal insulation of the exterior wall could reduce the heat transfer through the wall between inside and outside to save energy for an air conditioner.

Ice storage system

Ice storage systems make ice during the night when electric utilities charge less for energy. The ice supplements or even replaces mechanical cooling during the day and can result in significant operating cost savings

Reclaiming waste heat

Air to air heat exchanger
：Without heat recovery device, the air conditioner operates less efficiently because it has to work with heat loss when it changes the outdoor air and indoor air.

Non Ozone-

depleting chemicals

Exterior of the ice storage units, which use R407C instead of CFCs as the refrigerants

: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used traditionally as the refrigerants of air-conditioning equipment, have been implicated in the accelerated depletion of ozone in the Earth's stratosphere and global warming. R407C and R410A, which are developed as one of replacements refrigerants. 

Energy-efficient elevator

In addition to the high efficient motor, the electronic controller that adjusts the usage of electricity to the required operation is used in the elevators to save energy.

Recycled materials

•    Recycled PET Bottle Carpet at  office

•    Recycled Tire Flooring at   entrance hall
  Environmentally friendly  materials are chosen as many as  possible for interior finishes.(recycled materials/ natural materials/ local materials)

Fly-ash concrete