GAELA: a sustainable hotel focused on sargassum upcycling

GAELA

a sustainable hotel focused on Sargassum upcycling

Sargassum is a macroalgae found on the surface of the sea that is transported from Brazil to the beaches of the Caribbean.

The accumulation of these massive amounts of sargassum have caused:

Since it has been a problem that is affecting most of the Caribbean with economical, health, and environmental consequences, these islands have worked together to find solutions that make this issue become an opportunity. 

Some of these solution utilized to support the design and experience of the hotel are: tableware, footwear, artisanry, building materials, clean energy and fertilizers.

LOBBY

The lobby becomes the focal space that hugs the user into the beginning of the sargassum experience, through the color palette, artwork selection and custom furniture.

GIFT SHOP

The hotel gift shop and museum are two adjacent spaces that are connected by an illuminated and translucent acrylic tube filled with dissected sargassum in order to elevate the interactive experience for all guests.

While the gift shop exclusively sells sargassum-made products made by a variety of local artists, designers and artisans, the shop also uses dissected sargassum to create an accent wall right behind the cashier counter. 

MUSEUM

On the other hand, the museum consists of a sensory experience for the user where a sargassum garden welcomes each guest along with sargassum vine walls surrounding most of the museum. Moreover, a timeline exhibit is showcased throughout the journey to educate all guests on the issue and how the hotel has decided to address and embrace it through sustainable methods. 

ALGA RESTAURANT

Alga Restaurant is the place where sargassum becomes the showstopper. The bar’s backwall located at the indoor part of the restaurant creates a statement with its sargassum brick wall, as well as the bar and the seating booths, that have custom lighting features designed with sargassum. 

Moreover, the outdoor terrace uses dissected sargassum hanging from the entire ceiling, bringing the space to life as it connects with the landscape.

CORAL SUITE

All Coral Suites and Guestrooms are strategically designed with only custom furniture by local artisans and locally sourced materials. The purpose is for the rooms to celebrate an additional approach of sustainability within the hotel.