Hospitality
Tourism as such is responsible for between 8 and 11% of emissions, and can put enormous pressure on an area, causing impacts such as erosion and land use change, generating greater land and ocean pollution, loss of natural habitat and greater vulnerability of ecosystems.
However, tourism is a promising economic driver for many emerging countries and one of the key elements of wealth distribution in the world. The efforts of the hotel sector to reduce the impact are in fact catalysts for great changes in all industries and, above all, can promote changes in habits on a larger scale. Through sustainable construction, tourism infrastructures can change the way we interact with our surroundings, reconfiguring the way we travel around the world and our contribution to regenerative natural and built environments. Environmental certification systems such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for hospitality buildings allow transparent quantification of the impact of these buildings with environmental, social and impact metrics on natural environments, and allow sharing success stories and social and environmental responsibility while generating a real positive impact.
CARLOTA SUSTAINABLE DESIGN HOTEL - LEED GOLD
Carlota, a 1900s French-style home located just blocks from Quito’s main landmarks, was created as an urban lifestyle design experience to fully immerse guests in the treasures of a UNESCO World Heritage city. An intimate 12-room family-run hotel, Carlota was VIVA Arquitectura’s first historic rehabilitation project.
In 2019, Carlota was awarded LEED Gold certification for its environmental strategies and reduced impact on the surroundings. Housed in a renovated early 20th-century building, Carlota has seamlessly transformed from a private residence to a meeting point for local creatives.
The building maintains its original two levels, with an elevated terrace added to the terrace level. Accessible via a modern steel staircase connecting the terrace and wine cellar, the terrace offers unobstructed 360-degree views of the historic district. The reclaimed interior courtyard serves as an open reception/lobby area, creating a visual connection from the hotel’s main entrance to the backyard, which features a well-preserved stone staircase and a beautiful plant backdrop inspired by Quito’s traditional Spanish gardens.
Carlota’s interior design complements a subtle architectural intervention, with geometric patterns and color palettes unique to each room, creating a modern ambiance within a historic setting. Each bathroom features its own tile design, matching the room’s patterns and evoking a more elegant era. Room colors were selected to reflect the variety of hues found among Quito’s birds, thus connecting the property to the magnificent flora and fauna that surrounds it.
