Respect for the physical and cultural environment
One of the strong principles that I have used in the building I have done in Bali-this includes the hotel I own and the villa associated with it-is to respect the environment. I see the environment as principally the physical environment and the cultural one. I feel that respect for both is necessary for any responsible investment in building or other businesses in Bali. The same should be true of the Villa Gunung project. Therefore I propose, and have incorporated, in the planning for the Villa Gunung complex the following features:

Physical environment

• Waste water treatment will be done using biological treatment so that no waste water is discharged into local streams or water resources and is instead recycled for watering the gardens.
• Recycling of garden and other biodegradable waste will be done in compost bins and added to the gardens
• In the common facilities and villas, recycling of glass, plastic and paper will be encouraged in consultation with an environmental group in Ubud who are involved in recycling such materials.
• LPG will be used to power the back up generators for the complex rather than diesel fuel.
• Energy and water conservation will be encouraged by staff and energy and water saving devices will be used wherever practical
• Alternative energy such as solar voltaic cells, solar water heating panels and wind power will be used where economically and practically possible to:
  1. Heat and/or pump water
  2. Provide power for night time security lighting
  3. Circulate and/or heat and/or purify the swimming pool water

Cultural environment

• Employment of local residents in the construction phases of the complex will both create jobs as well as foster goodwill with the local community
• Employment of local residents in various jobs for which they are qualified once the complex is completed will also provide long term economic support for the local community
• Use of local resources and materials in the building and maintenance of the villas and facilities will support local industry
• Support of the local community by buying supplies such as food (fruit and vegetable mainly), drink and other household supplies where practical and acceptable to villa owners and their guests will be encouraged
• The interchange of ideas and culture will be encouraged so that villa owners and their guests are able and will feel welcome to attend local cultural events in the villages
• Practical help may be given by owners and guests as they see fit in the form of teaching of language or skills, financial sponsorship of various educational and other activities and other practical means of support. This would be seen as voluntary and the level and type of help given, entirely up to individuals. Financial contributions to some local ceremonies and activities would be made my the complex management from the monthly management fee.
• Promotion of local crafts and art may be possible through displays and sale of goods in the complex Clubhouse
• At all times respect and understanding of all aspects of Balinese cultural life in the environment surrounding the complex is expected of villa residents and guests

Individual villa owners are expected to follow these principles and are free to incorporate any or all of the above in their individual villas. I am happy to refer owners to Pieter De Vries, the owner of Contained Energy, a company based in Jakarta which advises, supplies and installs alternative energy. I will be using Pieter to buy and install some/all of the alternative energy ideas above. His Website is www.containedenergy.com

In these ways I believe and hope that the Villa Gunung complex is seen as a culturally and physically responsible asset to the local human and physical environment and allows mutual benefits and interchange between villa owners/guests and the local community. In this way harmony, friendship and a spirit of peace and mutual understanding become part of the existence and rationale of the complex.