7 eco-friendly facts about Oasis Eastman pavilions

The announcement is no longer a secret, Spa Eastman is building 4 new healthy, resilient and ecological pavilions: Oasis Eastman. How can small choices make a big difference? Find out how these pavilions are designed and how certain aspects can be adapted into your own home.

1. Solar energy

Thanks to their bioclimatic design and their solar roof, the Oasis pavilions offer protection, thermal comfort and solar energy independently of external infrastructures. That is to say that the pavilions and their suites will remain very comfortable even if there is a power outage lasting several days, without having to resort to generators, which are generally polluting.

2. The sleek and timeless design

This type of design, tied to the choice of healthy, natural and local materials such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood, Quebec hemp insulation, slate, sheet metal roofing and whitewash paint, offers beauty, comfort unsurpassed and require very little maintenance for decades to come.

How do I choose materials to build or renovate my house?

There are several kinds of materials on the market, and it can be complex to make choices. From the structure to the floors, to the insulation and the interior finishes the options are endless. If you have choices to make in a near future, we are directing you to a blog post bringing together healthy materials to prioritize, written by Solution ERA, experts in ecological housing.

3. A culture of permanence

The exterior landscaping will be inspired by the principles of permaculture and will include edible landscaping and a small nourishing forest with fruit trees and medicinal plants in addition to a small swimmable pond, all in the heart of the forest.

“Permaculture is not a method of gardening. It is a problem-solving and decision-making approach. It’s critical thinking. You use permaculture. You don’t do permaculture.” – Larry Santoyo

Is it possible at home?

Have you ever thought that it was possible for you to make gourmet flowerbeds? Indeed, why not review your choice of plants according to your real needs. In addition, ‘useful’ does not necessarily mean ‘less aesthetic’. Go for edible plants as well as native varieties that require little or no watering.

4. Low flow devices

All showers, sinks and appliances will be low flow or Energy Star to minimize water consumption. We will also collect rainwater to ensure 100% of the watering of the land and the greenhouse.

How do I adapt it to my home?

According to experts, the average water consumed by the average Canadian is 274 liters of water per day and the average Quebecer nearly 386 liters of water daily, per PERSON!

“If installing an efficient shower head is one of the most ecological actions that can be taken in the context of a home, why not make it a gift! Here’s an inexpensive present idea for your loved ones. It will not only save them money on heating hot water, it will also give them the opportunity to do something concrete for the environment!”

There are many ways to reduce the amount of water used in your home. You can install mixer taps (flow limiters) rather than single taps, in order to achieve substantial water savings. For more ways to save water, here is a text on water waste written by Solution ERA.

5. Fresh fruits and vegetables all year round

The huge passive solar greenhouse in the first pavilion will offer fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, allowing customers to pick fresh grapes (among other things) while enjoying the sun. Any surplus will be used by the kitchen to create delicious local and organic dishes.

How can I adapt these concepts to my home?

At Spa Eastman, we have several thematic retreats, led by experts. Including a retreat on gardening led by Edith Smeesters: Autumn in the garden and the conservation of vegetables. To learn the basics of ecological gardening and the best ways to manage the abundance of the vegetable garden.

6. Excess heat used

The excess heat created in the greenhouse will be used to heat domestic hot water using an ultra-efficient air-water heat pump, which will allow energy savings of more than 80%.

How to do it at home?

There are heat recovery units to be installed on existing appliances. If you plan to change your heating system to save money and energy, we advise you to explore alternative systems to wall baseboards such as a heat pump, for example.

7. Ultra-efficient wood-burning fireplace

The two-storey solarium includes a wood-burning fireplace for more resilience, and a natural and warm atmosphere. The performance of new wood-burning fireplace model is not to be neglected and the carbon savings are substantial; a greener way than a generator to heat the building in an emergency.

How to choose a high-efficiency wood-burning fireplace?

Whether for energy independence, environmental or lifestyle reasons, there are many advantages to choosing a high-efficiency wood-burning fireplace. You can rely on the EPA standard that governs environmental protection when making your next purchase. Thus, you will be assured that your fireplace is efficient and ecological. In addition, by using it correctly, the wood is cleanly burned and therefore almost no smoke emanates from the chimney.

About Oasis Eastman

Ever since 1977, Spa Eastman has been offering unique programs that have earned it international recognition as one of the leading spas in the world. A pioneer in the wellness industry, the spa offers packages and all-inclusive ‘retreats’ that allow guests to recharge their batteries and to escape the daily grind, in a gentle, pleasurable manner. The overarching themes of the spa’s offerings are how to achieve a balanced lifestyle and the importance of following good health practices. These are outlined below: – Interact with dedicated, professionals (naturopathy, kinesiology) – Enjoy innovative, focused therapies (more than 40 body treatments using natural products) – Attend mind-and-body workshops and activities – Boost your energy by using the thermotherapy facilities and exploring 15 km of nature trails – Savour the flavours of our renowned Tonic Cuisine™… All amid a stunning, natural environment where well-being is front and centre!