Raising the Bar in Sustainable Building and Hospitality- Net Zero Luxury

There’s evidence of a revolution taking place right now in Delavan, Wis. It’s called the Green Leaf Inn (GLI); a new sustainable building complex that will combine luxury with green living and become the first Net Zero Energy Hotel in North America. The Inn will serve as a Net Zero Energy demonstration model; a living laboratory and catalog of new technology, products, and providers. Guests will enjoy luxury accommodations, while experiencing a multitude of green products and systems. Interested guests may receive complete product/system information through strategically placed QR codes or go online for details on product, usage, and company. The choice to explore or simple enjoy is totally up to the guest. The Inn will include the remodeling of an existing cottage with three suites, eating area, commercial kitchen and laundry, as well as construction of a new building with 16 additional suites and Welcome Center. Set to open spring 2013, phase one of construction has begun with the installation of many of the various systems; onsite aerobic waste water treatment, 18,000 gallon rainwater storage tank, 153 foot Endurance 50kw wind turbine, cogeneration system generating hot water and electricity (CHP), three different solar thermal hot water systems with a 1,250 gallon solar thermal storage tank insulated to R80, geothermal heating and cooling, and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems- dual axis tracker, roof mount and ground mount applications, energy management system and LED lighting. All the energy systems will be online for consumers and businesses to view and learn from. Renovations to the cottage thus far have included a new metal roof, and energy efficient windows and patio door. In the true spirit of reuse, reduce and recycle, the onsite pottery studio was saved from demolition and moved across the site to a new concrete foundation, complete with radiant floor heating and upgraded with sustainable roofing, siding and energy efficient windows and doors. Phase two will begin the interior renovation of the cottage, and phase three will be the construction of the new building complete with additional guest suites, welcome center, conference facilities and massage suites. A combination of luxury and sustainability will exist in every detail, from the two-person hot tub to the beautiful decks overlooking the lush, green conservation gardens. Regenerative in nature, GLI will be returning energy to the grid, reusing and recycling water back to the water table, composting organic matter and growing some of the food provided for guests. Our partner website, GreenBuildTV.com (GBTV) will document every step in construction and design via white papers, video and online postings, www.greenbuildtv.com. The anticipated new website launch for both GLI and GBTV is May 2012. For more information, or if interested in sponsorships or marketing opportunities, visit www.thegreenleafinn.com.