WELCOME
S
ustainability is an issue that concerns us all. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, we must not forget to try and find new ways to ensure we leave behind a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren. Over the past few months and much to
my growing astonishment, I have realized how many meetings can easily be conducted from my home office, supported by new digital tools such as Zoom. The amount of work that I was able to get through in this manner has persuaded me to scale down my travels significantly and get on a plane only when it is strictly necessary – even in post-COVID-19. Because of my great passion for houses, I am, of course, intrigued by any developments in the field of sustainable architecture whose sole aim is to increase efficiency. Whether you look at the amount of water or energy used, or the choice of building materials, the more efficiently things are done, the greener the resulting building is considered to be. The work of the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whom we profile in this edition of GG, is an impressive example of how green architecture can also be a great aesthetic success. Kuma has a predilection for using wood, a renewable resource he considers to be the building material of the future. It is also important to be aware how one can integrate sustainability into one’s everyday life. At our finca in Mallorca, we increasingly try to eat locally produced food. We grow Mediterranean vegetables in our garden, make our own olive oil and even grow grapes for making red wine. Knowing that all these products did not have to be shipped halfway across the globe to end up on our table is a great feeling. Our clients’ wishes run along similar lines. When looking for a new home, they prefer different solutions for recovering energy: from having their own water treatment system to choosing properties that allow them to spectacularly stunning green property on the vacation island of Ibiza. On the following pages of GG, you will find many exciting articles whose
PHOTO: CHRISTIAN SCHOPPE
grow their own fruit and vegetables. In our For Sale section we showcase a Sincerely,
unifying thread is sustainability. You will also find some of the most beautiful pieces of real estate from around the world. I hope you enjoy perusing this new edition of the magazine!
Christian Völkers
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