Crown and Champa Resorts opened its latest property in Lhayivani Atoll, an administrative division of the Maldives. The new Kudadoo Maldives Private Island aims to set a new standard for sustainable tourism with elements including a roof clad with photovoltaic solar panels that power the entire hotel.
Involved in the design of the property was New York-based firm Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA).
The design references the surroundings with accommodations located upon the sand lagoon to preserve natural vegetation, including sea lettuce, coconut palm, beach hibiscus, screwpine, and iron wood. The property also has operable full-height windows in villa or public spaces to allow for natural air ventilation. More than half of the private outdoor of each water villa is designed to enjoy at least five hours of shade during the day as well. “Egg crate” privacy screen systems are also fixed between each villa.
The building’s geometrical design was developedto diminish electricity consumption throughout the day.
In total, the resort has 15 villas, each with almost a thousand solar panels that generate 300kW of electricity — enough to power the three-hectare island retreat. There are one-or two-bedroom residences, which are nestled in the sand lagoon. Its villas include an open floor plan with highlights that include Tasmanian Oak floors, an eco-cooling system, private outdoor decks and private infinity plunge pools.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island also uses other eco-conscious materials, such as wood from forests in Indonesia, New Zealand, Canada, as well as locally-sourced timber from the Maldives.