Self-sufficient

Energy self-sufficiency played a major role in the renovation of the two Birkenhof buildings in the Uckermark region, which was completed in 2020. Here, wood from the farm’s own forest is used for heating and the solar cells on the roof, in combination with a battery storage system, provide enough electricity for guests to charge their electric cars during the day. Those who don’t come by car can walk to the nearest train station in five minutes and be in Berlin in 90 minutes.

The Chiemgau architect Thomas Ziesel has been working on solar energy for decades. For example, he developed a solar catamaran in the 1980s. The A-Frame house in an Upper Bavarian holiday complex from the 1970s, which he completely modernised in 2018, is an exemplary demonstration of how energy sustainability can succeed. His guests receive a “solar holiday certificate”which shows the amount of solar energy consumed during their rental period and produced by the house itself. The house has an EV charging station, and an electric car can also be rented on request.

The Nature Residence Dahoam near Meran, completed in 2010, impresses with its excellent sustainability. The passive building, which has been awarded the KlimaHaus Gold certificate, uses solar energy both actively and passively. Only regional timber was used, and the house systematically collects and uses rainwater. Those who want even more sustainability can jump into the natural swimming pond with a view of the South Tyrolean mountains.

Directly on the water and with your own boat behind the house, you live in the Sinnehúskes on the site of a former shipyard on the edge of the historicalDutch town of IJlst. The wooden houses are energy-neutral and have solar panels and a geothermal heat pump. Even the boats are charged by the sun, so that you can explore the Frisian canals and lakes in an environmentally conscious and whisper quiet way.

The Da Velio house in Faas on Monte Tenchina in the Carnic Alps is one of the properties of La Marmote Albergo Diffuso, a kind of “scattered” hotel. Guests can not only use the kitchens in the holiday homes, but also book catering and eat in various restaurants in the town of Paluzza and the surrounding villages. The house, self-sufficient in terms of energy, offers modern comfort, but with certain restrictions: Electricity is generated by solar cells on sunny days, and heating is provided by a wood-burning stove in the upper and lower floors. The treated rainwater is used for washing, and the drinking water comes from a well on the premises.

The house with its three holiday apartments near Garmisch-Partenkrichen, which opened in 2021, was not only renovated in a biologically sustainable way, but has since been completely climate-neutral with its own solar power system. If there are any supply problems, additional electricity can be obtained up to 100% from hydroelectric power. An EV charging station for cars is available.