What if we told you you could own a piece of your very own tropical island eco-resort - and do so with an awesome Ewok-meets-Aarnio eco-sphere hanging treehouse? Not only is Our Planet Retreatsbuilding bubblicious eco spheres in the trees of exotic and far flungplaces, but they make owning one a plausible reality. Through smartdesign and creative, communal financing, this innovative company hasfigured out a way to help you buy in for less than a tank of gas.Our Planet Retreats, an innovative UK-based company, is building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine locations like the Phillipines, Vanatu, and Papua New Guinea. Visiting guests stay in simple floating spheresin the trees that are reached by spiral stairs. Crafted from fiberglassand built by locals, each sphere can accommodate up to 4 people. Thefirst resort is comprised of 12 spheres. Other sustainable featuresinclude small solar panels and solar water heating systems. To get involved the steps are simple. Buy a share or buy a sphere.One share costs $30 and one simple, unfurnished sphere costs $2,500.Fully furnished spheres are also available at a higher price tag. Once Our Planet Retreatshas raised $55,000, the first retreat will start paying back dividendsand they’ll start opening additional eco-resorts {they’re currently at$40,000}. Locals will be employed by the eco-resorts and be encouragedto buy shares as well, giving them a vested interest in the project andhelping infuse the community’s economy.
www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/our-planet-retreats-building-eco-spheres-in-trees/