🍃 [FESTIVAL] Converting a 1950s warehouse into a home in a sustainable way 🍃

[Jenny]

This topic is part of the Community Center Festival of Sustainability

The original topic was posted in the Spanish-speaking Community Center by @Lina88   and we have translated it below.

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We strive to make our accommodation a model of sustainability because we want to attract sustainable tourism that helps create a circular economy – not just for us, but for our local area too.

Years ago, we had a warehouse from the 1950s. The location was great, but it had been neglected and was full of junk and boxes.

So why not transform it into a loft? We got to work and after emptying it, selling many of the things, or reusing them for the new flat, we talked to the experts and began our renovation project.

When it came to planning the project and our budget, we tried our best to maximise environmentally friendly materials. We also installed solar panels around the property, in addition to windows, to maximise energy efficiency.

Part of the charm of the old warehouse was its floor, so we decided to keep it. We cleaned it thoroughly with special machines and managed to bring out part of its former glory. The floors are polished concrete, so by saving it we were able to give a second chance to a floor that many would have covered up.

We painted the walls white with environmentally friendly paint – since it's a loft and we needed to give it a bright, spacious feel, what could be better?

The warehouse was very open-plan, so we had to divide part of it for the bathroom and the walk-in wardrobe and laundry areas. 

We decided to use solar panels; both the shower and the toilet have a water-saving system, and the appliances for the laundry – both the washing machine and dryer – are ultra-efficient to save energy wherever possible. 

The walk-in wardrobe furniture was recycled from an old wardrobe. We adapted it to the space to have an open-plan design inside the bathroom area.

The rest of the warehouse – the kitchen and living room area – remained open-plan, with a small workspace designed for digital nomads. We designed this loft with a great getaway experience for our guests in mind, but we also wanted to be as sustainable as possible, like choosing energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen. This includes recycling bins so that guests can share the task of recycling, even if they are on holiday.

We built a mezzanine with reused materials, and this is where we decided to put the bedroom.

It goes without saying that all the lights are LED, which creates a unique ambience in every room.

And that's how we transformed an old warehouse into a beautiful flat.

We're already talking to Aldeas LAB , (https://www.aldeaslab.org/about/) which was created by Aldeas Infantiles SOS, who are committed to sustainable development, for part of the construction for our next project.It's an employment agency for the socially disadvantaged that believes in access to work as a means of dignity, and whose goals include ending poverty, sustainable and clean energy, gender equality, reducing inequalities, and seeking partnerships to achieve these goals. I believe that having the opportunity to work with companies like this allows us to contribute to our community.

[Jennifer3225]

@Lina88. This is so wonderful. What a great project, and super cool you saved the floor. Sustainability is for sure a trajectory change of thought and you have done a fabulous job. Much to learn from your experience. @Felicity11 will love reading about your solar panels

I hope to one day visit you.

Jennifer

[Lina88]

Thank you so much @Jennifer3225