The Headwaters Eco Lodge is designed, built, and operated in line with the philosophy and principles of the Living Building Challenge (LBC), the most stringent environmental building design certification in the world. The Lodge is registered under the LBC Petal Certification pathway for the Energy, Water, and Beauty petals.

The LBC uses a flower metaphor to reflect a healthy living entity. Like a flower, a building is rooted in place. A flower must generate its own fuel, collect water, support its local ecosystem and community (via pollination), and becomes food for the local ecosystem at the end of its life. Ultimately, of course, a flower is beautiful.

Grounded in Glenorchy’s stunning natural environment, the award-winning property celebrates nature through the purposeful use of non-toxic construction materials and state-of-the-art technology to reduce water and energy. Nestled amongst an abundance of native plantings these buildings showcase the work of many local and national artists and craftspeople involved in the process from concept to completion.

Ben Fahy (Kia Ora Magazine) on a recent visit quoted “The lodge has become something of a sustainability demonstration project, whether it’s the composting toilet system, the solar garden, warm and energy- efficient cabins or wastewater filtered by an array of nutrient sucking plants.”