The Brando Receives LEED Platinum Certification

The Brando, a resort in Tetiaroa, French Polynesia has just received LEED platinum certification, making it the first property in the French Polynesia with LEED certification. 

“The Brando’s LEED platinum certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and The Brando serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.”

Many strategies were used when designing the resort in order to achieve the LEED certification, these include:

Sustainable Sites
•    50 percent of the project site has been protected using native or adapted vegetation.

•    Open space makes up 90 percent of the total site area.

Water Efficiency

•    Water efficient landscaping was created by using only native plants.
•    100 percent of waste water is recycled using a low energy, tidal treatment system that incorporates plants in filtration.
•    100 percent of irrigation water comes from recaptured rainwater and treated wastewater.        

Energy & Atmosphere

•    The Brando uses a Sea Water Air Conditioning system (SWAC), which  harnesses the cold of the ocean depths and offers low-energy, highly efficient cooling for all the buildings.
•    Solar energy produced from 4,000 photovoltaic solar panels along Tetiaroa’s airstrip provide over half the resort’s electrical energy needs and thermal solar collectors provides all of the resort’s hot water.
•    A coconut oil (biofuel) power station delivers the other half of The Brando’s energy needs.  The coconut oil is locally produced therefore this renewable power source also supports the local economy.
•    Energy cost savings of 96.17 percent and has offset 91.7 percent of the total energy costs through renewable energy generated on-site.

Materials & Resources

•    86.56 percent  wood-based building materials are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Indoor Environmental Quality

•     There is an increase of ventilation in all buildings, which creates a healthier environment for occupants.

Innovation in Design

•    The resorts innovative design optimizes performance and maximizes open space.
•    Establishment of Green Tours, which are comprehensive visits to The Brando’s eco-friendly facilities including the Ecostation, SWAC building, the coconut oil-powered electric plant, the water production plant, the waste separation center, the organic garden, bee hives, and solar panel sites.