SUNSET HOMES EMBRACES “GREEN” LIVING

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Sunset Homes understands that many of the resources that we rely on every day are becoming more and more scarce. Ecosystems are struggling, landfills are nearing capacity and our quality of life is at risk. In the Caribbean, where the importance of achieving conservation of biological and environmental resource richness is magnified due to the size of the region’s small island nations, the need for using products and methods that promote environmental care and stewardship is critical to creating a healthy and sustainaible tomorrow for today’s and future generations.

At Sunset Homes, we are committed to leading the charge for green design and construction on Anguilla. We have integrated several environmental best practices in our projects to date and we continue to look for ways to leave the lightest footprint possible on the planet.

As part of our architectural consultation and design phase, we encourage and apply a number of green initiatives such as maximizing the design to capture the easterly trade winds that allow for natural ventilation and cooling; creating landscape designs that use existing vegetation and minimizing disruption of indigenous plants and trees; installing grey water systems that recycle waste water from the home to use in landscape watering and irrigation; utilizing cisterns as well as proper roof guttering and other catchment systems to generate water for use in the home; encouraging creativity in landscape design that also incorporates materials that do not require watering such as stone décor, natural stones, pavers etc.; using light coloured materials for walls and roofs which reduce the effects of solar radiation; as well as using quality materials that will withstand the harsh elements such as sun, wind and salt spray and air, especially in coastal areas.

In the construction phase, Sunset Homes routinely salvages, reuses and recycles rough and finish materials to cut down on project costs; strictly follows and exceeds the Anguilla Building Code to guarantee the usage of steel reinforcements and other structural requirements to ensure strength against tropical elements; using environmentally safe paints and chemicals; and using termite and other pest resistant lumber and materials.
Operationally, we encourage clients to invest in environmentally conscious products that lessen the burden on Anguilla’s precious natural resources such as water saving faucets, toilets, showerheads and tankless water heaters as well as energy efficient appliances that will net both a financial savings as well as an environmental savings for each of us.
In addition, Sunset Homes supports sustainable community efforts that promote a holistic vision for economic, social and environmental prosperity on Anguilla. Through our sponsorship of Youth, Sports and Education based programs, we commit company resources, countless volunteer hours as well as marketing and promotion support each year that reflect and encourage healthy community lifestyles and attitudes. Our participation in grassroots “buy local” campaigns also ensures that we contribute in a positive way to building and sustaining our local business community and economy.
Through all of these initiatives, Sunset Homes is laying the foundation for environmental and sustainable awareness and guardianship on Anguilla. We recognize that these are small steps in the massive global effort but we believe that they are steps in the right direction to creating a local commitment toward thinking and acting green.