E12 | | Pioneers

Nowadays ecological initiatives are valued, supported, given aid. It wasn’t so long ago that those who took up the cause were seen as either slightly mad or well-meaning utopians. How do those who 20 years ago were already actively campaigning and building green houses, villages, hotels live today? Danielle and Wolfgang Leth’s neighbours looked on in bemusement as they built their own house decked out with solar panels. Today, those very same neighbours envy them their electricity bill! Peter Vetsch’s earth houses have caused a lot of debate in the residential suburb where they were built in the 1970s. Today, the architect continues to develop the concept all over the world. In Brittany, La Grée des Landes is a continuation of Jacques Rocher’s ecological vision. The well-renowned cosmetics company’s first hotel and spa is a model of green building.