Why Eco?

Landscape Architecture and Integration

The Resort's architecture and the choice of materials had as main objective the harmonious integration of the buildings in the natural surroundings. The architecture of the buildings was adjusted to the morphology of the land, in order to minimize the landscape impact.

The building materials selected are natural and of local or national origin, such as cryptomeria wood, bamboo and cork, enhancing the integration of buildings in the natural surroundings.

Santa Barbara's furniture and decorative pieces were designed and built exclusively for the project. Many of the pieces made it possible to reuse old materials (lamps are oil containers from an abandoned farm, chairs and tables in the restaurant have a structure made from reused iron, covered with vegetable fiber using doormat crafts).

The work was carried out mainly by local companies. Santa Barbara currently hires local companies and employees to carry out the interventions.

Luxury Amenities

Responsible, effective and non-toxic A special highlight for the line of amenities that now has the seal of Voya, an organic Irish brand based on seaweed with confirmed therapeutic properties and whose products recreate the calming effects of a spa experience, presented here in individual and personalized glass containers with labels in local wood veneer, aligned with the sustainable practices that characterize Singular Properties.

Farm-to-Table

Restaurant Concept Agricultural production farm with 2 greenhouses and use of available land with an area of approximately 4,000 m2 for the production of fruits, aromatic herbs and other vegetables to guarantee the quality and exclusivity of the gastronomic experience that we provide to our guests.

Beach Cleaning

Daily Maintenance team Our maintenance team performs a daily cleaning of the waste that is deposited daily on the beach of Santa Bárbara, coming from the Ocean. It is a small gesture that aims to envolve the local community and alert to this problematic. In 2019 350 kg of garbage were collected from our beach.

Energy Efficiency

Cork and cryptomeria wood Materials used of the exterior coating of buildings, for thermal insulation.
Adjudication of a photovoltaic farm that will reduce consumption by 60%.
Gradual replacement of lighting for exclusive use of low consumption lighting.

Hydric efficiency

Capturing rainwater Rainwater harvesting from the various buildings and its retention in a storage basin built at the Resort. This basin allows water to be stored for the landscaped areas of the Resort. To ensure that the basin has water throughout the year, there is a connection with the natural lake on the property, which pumps whenever necessary. The resort's hot water distribution network is thermally isolated, helping to reduce running water waste.

Santa Bárbara Sustainability Policy

During the 1st quarter of 2020, Santa Bárbara hired a sustainability audit service from a reference company specialized in this field, whose diagnosis was translated into a plan for implementing measures and policies, namely:

- Reduction of electricity consumption / reduction of GHG emissions - Elaboration and implementation of procedures and installation of equipment for saving electricity in different areas (Housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance and offices).

- Waste separation and waste reduction to landfill by 20%
Development of the signage action plan based on the 5 R's principle (rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle, repair. This action plan includes the reevaluation of the LER codes assigned to the waste produced in accordance with the rules of the Portuguese Environment Agency and Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism of the Azores, for waste classification).

Composting

Part of the organic waste produced will be sent for composting. The compost produced is used in the farm that will supply the resort with fruits, vegetables and aromatic herbs.

- Implementation of a sustainable purchasing policy
In order to avoid waste, preference for purchasing certified local and national products of sustainable origin and fair trade, elimination of single-use items, use of ecological cleaning products for disinfecting surfaces, among others.

- Valorization of human capital and raising awareness of sustainability
Training, periodic meetings to constantly improve the sustainability policy implemented.

- Guest involvement in the unit's sustainable policy
Raising awareness of the theme by encouraging good practices throughout the stay. Development of sustainable packages / activities that include walking and / or cycling trips in the surroundings, agricultural activities in the future garden, activities to explain the composting process, beach cleaning, development of nature tourism activities (eg bird watching, terrestrial ecology), through the establishment of partnerships with local associations / NGOs.