Spangles

@JSHarris Give a call to a few data centres close to your area. Who knows, you might get lucky and they'll be willing to 'offload' used batteries. Quite a few dotted around https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/data+centres+uk/@52.1990019,-2.6401555,8z/data=!3m1!4b1 spangles

@Bitpipe See picture attached. This is what it will more or less look like fitted to the kerb/edging and 0.5 should be fine. A soft glow is better than bright light.

@Ferdinand I'm not sure about good vernacular practices around these parts. They seem to be more concerned that it's 'cyclone' proof, boundary distance rules etc than what material you use and how it fits into the environment. I don't think doing creative things with water to help with cooling will be necessary since a space between the ceiling and the corrugated roof sheets will cut down a lot on heat transmission into the building and as it's a geared towards tourism, people are more out and about during the day than staying in with the aircon all day long. But it's a good shout and I'll keep that in mind. The sun goes behind the mountain and the site is in the 'shade' as from 14:00 which is a great relief when you want to enjoy a splash in the pool or a cold beer on the decking. Spangles

@Onoff The project is an eco/mountain lodge designed for the tourism sector. The site can accomodate at least 20 units and the first one will give me a good idea what sort of costs involved and determine how many I will be able to build in the short term. (guestimate of 3 units max) I have setup shop here in the landscaping business and own a backhoe loader (volvo BL71). While the business is doing fine, I don't see myself doing it forever as I'm not getting any younger, hence the build project. @SteamyTea Evacuated solar tube will reduce the amount of deep cycle batteries the system requires if I went with solar pv for hot water. Electrical grid is very stable so no worries on that front. Planning ahead : Solar evacuated tube setup at the top of the site along with the hot water tanks to provide water for the units further down. Gravity feed should be enough to not require a water pump or one that doesn't need to be 3HP. I think this should be ok...and takes off the 'ugly' look it would if fitted on the roof of the bungalow. The main water tank will be located at the bottom (car park/utilities area) and a secondary one placed at the top. Solar pv panels should be enough to power a transfer pump during the day to fill up the secondary one. Any mistake I've made in my plans, do not hesitate to point it out please. Spangles

After a lot of reading up last night, turns out it's not as much of a 'spanner in the cogs' as i initially thought it would be. Where the site is located, it's rather hot and dry as opposed to hot and humid in the middle of the island. For hot water, evacuated solar tube system will be more than enough all year round. Concrete blocks with insulation in the middle will help a lot to keep interior cool. Here's what they do here https://www.ubp.mu/sites/default/files/fiche_technique_ubp_vf_3-ecoblock.pdf Roofing options...I was thinking about thatch roof but changed my mind and will go with metal truss that will support corrugated metal sheets. Plasterboard on the ceiling should take care of the heat from the roof. i doubt it will be a net zero energy house unless I use part of the site to have an array of solar pv panels to offset electricity usage from the grid. Thanks for the info though. Spangles

@Nickfromwales Thanks for the tip

That is an old forum indeed. Kudos to the regulars who didn't let it die. I'm sure countless of people are thankful of the resource and help they've received on here. Oh I do think my location will be a bit of a challenge but we can only go 'beyond' if we want to grow. Having purchased a plot of 8000 sqm that's got really amazing views on the lagoon, a few ideas knocked about till I found what would be best for this type of location. I have been watching a lot how they build here and not too convinced about the methods as it seems to favour more contractor's and architect's pockets than the client's interests. However, I'm sure the combined experienced on here will help me immensely in this project.

15,875 posts ? Supreme leader, is that you??

I had the misfortune of taking a stop in Dubai to stretch my legs a bit. People, by all means, avoid any stop over in Dubai. The worst ever airport I have ever been in and sorry to be a bit old fashionned but what on earth am I going to do with ( that currency ) after buying a caffe latte in pound sterling?! Strange toilet bowls that filled to the brim with hot water?? Going for number two is hazardous. And the list goes on... From that day on, anything will do but none of those flights please. I''ve had my fill so to speak.

Thank you. I look forward to sharing and learning new stuffs! Possibly build a bridge or two.

Cooling not such an issue since the property is located on the central plateau and quite cool and breezy being sited next to a volcano crater that might or might not burp hot stuffs. Humid during the cooler/rainy seasons - a small dehumidifier does the job.

Currently living in the centre of the island where the weather is not so bad during summer but a bit humid/damp during winter. Currently around 32c. I don't use air con in the house but when out and about, I have to use it in the car.

Thank you. 12hr non stop flight to Heathrow does nothing positive to my back being 6'2 Spangles

Hello Oh my, 14,470 posts on your record? Like seriously?

Er not quite tropical...might be in a few thousand years though. location! location!

brr a bit frisky to go skinny dipping there, no?

Hello all Bang in the middle of the indian ocean, well a bit more to the south of the equator, Mauritius. Spangles

hi @jpinthehouse trench fill foundation with rebar reinforcement or without? is the site sloping to the left? spangles

Hello all Brit expat currently in tropical island seeks counsel from experienced jedi...er i mean diyers on various sides of a project that will test your limits or mine? heh...time will tell. anyhow i've browsed a bit on here and it seems like lots of peeps are really knowledgeable and helpful so fingers crossed, i'll avoid hammer on big toe and the likes. spangles