The philosophy behind the “green” mountain resort Elements in Tatranská Lomnica is to enable people to have direct contact with nature while respecting it to the maximum possible degree by using innovative materials. The project is being built on a site that has already being built on in the past. The new Elements concept will revitalise this unique part of the Tatras and return life to it along with long-term care for nature. The project will create opportunities for pleasant housing and relaxation in the heart of the mountains in a way that is sustainable and harmonious with nature.
The exceptional location necessitates unique ecological solutions
The exquisite position of the area right in the centre of Tatranská Lomnica, 100 m from the cable car to Skalnaté pleso and Lomnický štít, makes the project extremely attractive. It is a valuable plot of land on the border of the TANAP nature reserve, flanked on both sides by a stream, with one side opening out into the wild Tatras’ nature. The Elements resort will become a springboard for sports and the most beautiful trips to the mountains. Its precious environment demands respect and a sensitive approach when integrating the project into the site’s background. For this reason, the project designers place great emphasis on ecology, reducing the carbon footprint in the long term, as well as an environmentally friendly approach. Several unique ecological solutions and sustainable principles are planned in the resort:
- Bioclimatic architecture using durable materials – ensuring minimal heat loss.
- Natural materials from local sources – wood used indoors and outdoors comes from local forests.
- Ornilux glass windows with UV mesh from the German manufacturer Arnoldglas for bird protection.
- Use of renewable energy.
- Sole use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and detergents.
- Smart energy consumption management.
- Ceiling cooling in selected units that will be exposed to light.
- Location of charging stations for electric cars in underground parking spaces.
Bioclimatic architecture at the Elements resort
The bioclimatic type of architecture is one of the proofs that the project is not just about a trend presentation but brings a well-thought-out ecological system of operation. Bioclimatic architecture uses smart insulation materials that eliminate changes in heat or cold in interiors and have an acoustic function. The house will keep a pleasant year-round temperature and thermal comfort independent of the season. At the same time, there will be healthy air in the rooms. Modern insulation materials are durable and have a longer service life. They enable high energy savings, thus cutting costs associated with the installation of costly heating and cooling systems. There is no pollution of the surroundings, having a reduced impact on the environment.
Bioclimatic buildings contain modern, energy-efficient, and ecological mechanical ventilation systems in the form of cross-ventilation, which is created by natural airflow, and which improves the climatic conditions in the building.
Bird-safe windows
One of the biggest benefits of the project for nature is the use of unique windows that are safe for birds. The developer has gone for a more expensive option in order to eliminate accidents in which birds die after colliding with the glass. The special glass contains a UV microparticle webbing, normally unobservable to humans, but perceptible by the birds from a distance thanks to their infrared vision. In this way, Ornilux technology prevents birds from hitting the glass panels. These will be the first windows with this technology in the High Tatras.
“We wished to build a project whose operation and life will be implemented in harmony with the Tatras’ nature. For this reason we took care to bring the most modern and friendly solutions,” said Kamil Vacek, developer of the Elements project.
Nature-inspired concept and design
The whole resort consists of a total of 5 buildings. Their names are based on the elements of Feng Shui – Wood, Earth, Metal, Water and Fire, and they are also reflected in the character and design of the project. Thanks to building elements and natural materials, buildings look like natural species set against the background. They are unobtrusively integrated into the country and create harmony with it. The dominant materials here are wood and metal. Wood is represented by red spruce indoors and partly outdoors. The furniture will be made of above-standard natural materials, mostly oak wood, which will to a great extent come from local sources.
Flames dancing in the fireplaces will create a cosy atmosphere in the interiors. The maximum possible preservation of the original character of the landscape during construction (for example, by embedding parking spaces underground) symbolises the resort’s connection with the ground.
“The Elements project has been designed in a timeless fashion that will not look out of date in even 10 years’ time. Our intention has been to make a hotel friendly not just to families but also to nature. Therefore, we strove for sensitive integration of the building into the environment, especially by using natural as well as innovative materials in public and private spaces. We were inspired by Feng Shui elements, which are reflected in the overall vision of the resort,” stated project architect Alex Nerovnaya from the Russian architectural studio Alex_Nerovnya.
Project creators
The project is being prepared by the developer Hotel Elements Properties s.r.o. in a sensitive manner for more than nine years, in close cooperation with the local population and in accordance with the development concept of Tatranská Lomnica. The project is backed by many years of domestic experience and high knowledge of the location, giving a greater focus to the environmental protection. The architectural design of the project was prepared by the Russian studio Alex_Nerovnya, which has extensive know-how in designing global eco-hotels and buildings in the mountain environment. The authors focused on interlinking the resort’s comfort with the proximity of the wilderness, which is literally right behind the doors of the Elements resort.
