Eco Concept. The power of nature observation in Peninsula Valdes

The origin of the demanding concept that we apply in Del Nomade Eco Lodge is generated simply by the power of observation. Enveloped by a magnificent natural landscape, extreme weather, austere nature and scarce resources, we decided to build with creativity and projection, knowing that every item we add to the work should serve to maximize efficiency in the consumption of non-renewable resources.
We also seek the flexibility to accept installation of innovative concepts to ensure continuous updating of technology, constantly keeping at the forefront of sustainability, with an investment of just 5% more of the total cost of the building site.
New renewable energy resources are appearing constantly and we want to be able to install, add value to the concept and minimize the footprint that our business inevitably generates. We educate  and promote the use of these  technologies, so that they can be applied to other ventures, private homes, or any building that requires them.

A great achievement is that the Puerto Piramide’s building code was modified based on sustainability parameters introduced by Del Nómade Eco Lodge.
To achieve this goal, we first constructed a building of 400 m2, consisting of a ground floor, first floor and second floor with separate entrance for a private apartment. The heat balance optimization was the first step to prevent heat loss, which is why we started by building solid walls and large windows all sealed with double glazed (DVH) to avoid unnecessary heat loss and allow the entry of solar energy as light and heat.
The main entrance has a small hall which is designed so that one door is opened first, then the second one, a layout that significantly reduces the entry of outside air into the building. We knew that to achieve a construction with thermal and luminous environments, we have to guarantee to maintain the internal temperature in the range of temperature between 20 and 24 degrees, without unnecessary losses.

Eco Concept for our Eco Lodge in Peninsula Valdes - FURNITURE AND DECORATION

For decoration we chose a studio in Buenos Aires, which met the requirements of our concept. The project required them to take a degree in Metropolitan Environmental Management, which took over two years, and they applied this approach to their building and design studio in Buenos Aires. We decided to paint the inside of the Inn with a light sand colour, in order to promote overall brightness. The furniture embraced a minimalist design; most of it was built in the mountainous region of Patagonia, by a local carpenter who worked with naturally fallen cypress wood. Even the outer decks were made of dry coihue wood. We urselves take care of supplying all these woods to guarantee their source. In the rooms bathrooms, bathtubs are designed with a 45 degrees back that offers comfort and reduces the amount of required water for filling. We also promote the concept “short showers.” For the floor, in order to complement the concept and decor, we decided to use a colored coating, also warm sand.

“... they wanted to impart strong ecological content, so we decided that in interior design and equipment would try to deepen the concept of sustainability.Until that time I’ve had not (by personalor customer proposal choice) the designand ecology challenge. I can confess that it has opened a new world, full of nterestingproposals and the need for a newcommitment to the ecosystem”
Nora Larosa - Decoration in charge

del Nómade Eco Lodge Technical Report of The Proyect

Del Nomade Eco Lodge, here in Peninsula Valdes Patagonia Argentina, was awarded with the first prize in the first contest of Green Hotels in Argentina, a recognition that excites us and puts us at the forefront of something that in the future we hope to be common. The conscious use of nonrenewable resources and the use of sustainable technologies puts us in a place of respect for the planet.

Greenest Hotel in Argentina 2012
The origin of the demanding concept that we apply in del Nomade Eco Lodge is generated simply by the power of observation.
Enveloped by a magnificent natural landscape, extreme weather, austere nature and scarce resources, we decided to build with creativity and projection, knowing that every item we add to the work should serve to maximize efficiency in the consumption of non-renewable resources. We also seek the flexibility to accept installation of innovative concepts to ensure continuous updating of technology, constantly keeping at the forefront of sustainability, with an investment of just 5% more of the total cost of the building site.

New renewable energy resources are appearing constantly and we want to be able to install, add value to the concept and minimize the footprint that our business inevitably generates. We educate and promote the use of these technologies, so that they can be applied to other ventures, private homes, or any building that requires them.

A great achievement is that the Puerto Piramide’s building code was modified based on sustainability parameters introduced by Del Nómade Eco Lodge.
To achieve this goal, we first constructed a building of 400 m2, consisting of a ground floor, first floor and second floor with separate entrance for a private apartment.The heat balance optimization was the first step to prevent heat loss, which is why we started by building solid walls and large windows all sealed with double glazed  to avoid unnecessary heat loss and allow the entry of solar energy as light and heat.

The main entrance has a small hall which is designed so that one door is opened first, then the second one, a layout that significantly reduces the entry of outside air into the building. We knew that to achieve a construction with thermal and luminous environments, we have to guarantee to maintain the internal temperature in the range of temperature between 20 and 24 degrees, without unnecessary losses. In the next articles, we will define the different features we implemented in del Nomade Eco Lodge

Radiant floor in Puerto Piramides Peninsula Valdes

Temperate flats

"The even heat creates a pleasant
feeling of comfort in every room of the
house"

Del Nomade Eco Lodege was awarded with the first prize in the first contest of green hotels in Argentina, a recognition that excites us and puts us at the forefront of something that in the future we hope to be common. The conscious use of nonrenewable resources and the use of sustainable technologies puts us in a place of respect for the planet.
Floor heating not only provides a healthy and comfortable climate, also enables direct contact with the floor. Comfort is not the same in a room at  22 ° C ambient temperature with a floor at 15 ° C for one to 25/27 ° C. The even heat creates a pleasant feeling of comfort in every room of the house. The premise is that a heating system should provide 22/25 ° C at the foot and 19/21 ° C at the head.

Only underfloor heating satisfactorily and efficiently meets this high comfort set point. Floor heating avoids consuming energy heating unusable environment sectors, such as air mass existing above two meters. Convection heating from radiators and heaters can not do this and to provide equivalent  comfort, consume at least 20% more energy. At higher ceiling height, the difference is magnified.

Orcas in Peninsula Valdes peak season, between March 21 and April 4

The orcas season is blurred in Punta Norte, nature in events of this magnitude, such as the intentional stranding who developed these marine mammals, on the beaches of Punta Norte Peninsula Valdes help practice patience and perseverance. Although this year has started strongly.

Many tourists have been fortunate to see them in action. Luckily these days, to raise the overall morale of the followers and fans, the persevering and lucky visitors saw a group of orcas spend several times against the viewpoint of the sea lion colony, and make several attacks on consecutive days. While it is good to remember that the highest peak of the season is between between March 21 and April 4, we must not lose chance to appear in the right place at the appropriate days.

If you are going to be one of those who will be attending this Orca season, visit this link previously, offered by the Administrator of the protected area and Peninsula Valdes. Note the time of high tide at Punta Norte which varies daily . Orcas if they decide to attack, will most likely do so between the two hours before high tide until 2 hours later, which is the time when the sea rises to the very edge of the sea lion colonies.

Spectacular Orca attack on elephant seal

 Spectacular and rare Orca attack on young adult elephant seal in Punta Norte Peninsula Valdes.

Argentinian Photographers in Punta Norte attack channel

Photographers that want to take pictures of Orcas, need to have patience. Punta Norte is a meeting place for photographers, whose all season go between the end of february till middle april, to try again to take the most wanted picture: one of the orca doing the intentional stranding when it hunt one sea lion.

ANDRÉS BONETTI had been there before this place turn into a tourist point near 1992.

DARIO BONETTI, Andres oldest son,is following dad steps but with his cinecamara.
He is a multimedia designer and he use to film nature and wildlife from Patagonia.
The first time he went to Punta Norte attack channel to film was a couple of years ago.
He had taken really amazing images that day with his cinecamara: eleven Orcas were doing the intentional stranding on Punta Norte beach,a practice behavior, something never sight and also never registered! It was like a welcome gift for this new documentalist.


He has already made his first DVD of Península Valdés and Punta Tombo. Congratulations!

Another important photographer is GABRIEL ROJO, who has been visiting the attack channel for last twelve years. Their works are seen on different magazines like National Geographic (Mexico), BBC Wildlife Magazine (United Kingdom), Fotomundo and books of scientific diffusion.