By: Rohal Kohyar, Marketing Manager, Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty
In 2019, there are numerous ways in which we can make our homes work smarter, not harder, without compromising on aesthetics. From native plants to restored materials, these eco-friendly revamp upgrades are what you need for your next renovation, which will give your home the ultimate luxe factor, while helping the environment.
1. Local Flora
When one wants to design an eco-friendly landscape, the most important thing to do is to select native plants. It is very important to be inclined towards naturally habituated plants while designing your landscape, because such flora requires very little maintenance, since they’re already naturally acclimated to that region’s weather and rainfall conditions, and are resistant to local pests. These plants also require very little to no use of pollutants such as pesticides and other chemicals. And talking from a design perspective, these types of plants help to enhance the sense of the place.
The date palm is a perfect example of flora that thrives in UAE gardens.
The Palm Jumeirah Beachfront Palace is an architecturally magnificent beach palace located on a private gated community. This bespoke villa boasts a stunning beachfront available for a private residence in Dubai. The 11 bedroom, 16 bathroom masterpiece is surrounded by a plethora of date palms, which provides much needed shade for the home, while protecting the privacy of its residents.
2. Solar Panels
If you’re in the market to sell your property, investing in solar power is definitely a brilliant idea, with this eco-upgrade providing a solid, tangible return on investment. Nowadays, many buyers are searching for properties with a solar upgrade. Some are even willing to pay a premium for a solar energy system! Solar energy is now becoming a norm, even in areas where heavy clouds limit the average sunlight to 2 hours per day (while four hours is ideal).
The Sustainable City is Dubai’s first operational Net Zero Energy City (Zero Net Services Fees and Zero Net Maintenance Fees) and is a pillar for creating tomorrow’s sustainable world. Every home consists of roof solar panels.
3. Natural Stone
As the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in a home, it’s smart and wise to pick materials that are built to last for this particular area. For the floor, choose natural stones such as marble, quartz and granite – they’re virtually indestructible, while still looking beautiful!
This beautiful villa in Arabian Ranches is flooded with natural stone. The unique designer kitchen by Häcker boasts a comprehensive range of Miele appliances, granite countertops, custom lighting, smoky quartz glass cabinets, ample storages, and a built-in wine fridge. The bespoke “Phantom Silent Move” – a thick granite countertop, which encases the sink and the induction hob, serves as a breakfast bar and is uniquely designed to fold into one piece of Silestone by Cosentino.
4. Reclaimed Wood
Whether your interest lies in buying or selling, it is always wise to consider the environmental impact of your investment. Sidestepping the lure of mass production, there is nothing more authentic than reclaimed wood. But beauty isn’t the only thing upcycled wood has in its favour. Most of the wood used in homes comes from older trees because it’s stronger, more resistant to rot, and a lot denser than new growth. Another reason why reclaimed wood should be preferred is because it effectively traps air, making it a natural insulator, especially when used as flooring.
5. Technology in the home
Many people often think technology has a negative impact on the environment, which in part, can be accurate. For example, the materials needed to upgrade technology devices can generate more waste. Power consumption, which is often generated by fossil fuels, has also dramatically increased due to advent of technological devices. However, when technology is implemented correctly into your home, it can be hugely beneficial to the environment by reducing excessive usage of electricity. For example, many homes have sensor lights that automatically switch off when no one is in the vicinity. Through smart thermostats, the temperature of a home can be easily be modulated via a smart phone, thus reducing heat wastage.
This stunning six bed penthouse in One Palm was carefully crafted with the environment in mind. It has cutting-edge technology incorporated into the home to help reduce energy when possible. The home recognises the patterns of its residents to prevent any excessive usage of electricity and determine accurate cooling requirements.
It’s time all of us do our small bit in preserving the environment.
As Marketing Manager for the Development Projects division in Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty, Rohal Kohyar undertakes strategy development, implementation, and management of key marketing deliverables. Mr. Kohyar is highly proficient in brand analytics, growth hacking and development strategies. He has spent most of his career helping SMEs & start-ups to create user-centric and intuitive marketing solutions across various industries, such as retail, online services, fashion and tourism. His past companies include MDXLoop in London, TimeSvr in Singapore and Phillip Morris in Pakistan, as well as other notable brands in Dubai. In 2015, he stepped into real estate as a Design Strategist for marketing initiatives. In 2017, Mr. Kohyar joined Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty, where he is responsible for planning and executing all marketing activities for the exclusive projects section, ranging from a worth of AED 100 Million to 2 Billion.
