Our Conscious Eye On
- Inhabit Southwick Street

Conscious Hotel

Location

London, United Kingdom

Architecture

Holland Harvey Architects

The Originals

Nadira Lalji

Green Certification

Green Key, B Corp

The London-based Inhabit Southwick Street has showcased sustainable, responsible design and practices from its inception. The recipient of a Green Key award, the hotel is now on a mission to exceed industry standards and become a Certified B Corporation business. The visionary behind the hotels, Nadira Lalji, has an approach to sustainability that is evolving and experimental, but thought-out and considered, extending to all areas of the operations. In terms of materials, the design aims to connect people back to nature: Stone is stone and wood is wood. There are no printed finishes in the hotel. Lalji also believes that the modern hotel can exist as part of its setting rather than as a bubble for travelers. To embody this philosophy, Inhabit works with local businesses such as Goldfinger, a social enterprise that teaches carpentry to the disadvantaged. Through such partnerships, Inhabit aims to connect to its local surroundings in a way that makes an impact. The hotel’s focus on holistic well-being ties a thread through it all. As Lalji tells us, “Mindfulness fosters not only a greater sense for one’s immediate surroundings, but also by extension, an appreciation of, and care for, the greater world. It’s essentially the starting point for empathy and community engagement.”

“Our approach is evolving, experimental, and incrementally improving, but above all, it is thought-out and considered.”

The Team at Inhabit Southwick Street

Inhabit Southwick Street

Conscious Hotel Principles

Architecture

Inhabit Hotels believes that the most sustainable building is one that already exists. The team reconfigured an existing hotel to meet their needs. Materials were responsibly sourced, using suppliers and technologies that reinforce the hotel’s sustainability values.

Waste

The hotel recycles all waste and repurposes and reuses wherever possible. Zero waste goes to landfills. The monthly recycling rate is above 91%. The Goldfinger furniture features recycled and reclaimed materials and the hotel avoids all synthetic chemicals.

Energy

Inhabit partners with Con-Serve to reduce its gas and electricity consumption. In the first year of partnership alone, the reduction in electricity was equivalent to the amount generated by 74,837 light bulbs being switched on for 24 hours.

Water

Guests can refill their bottles at Belu filtered water taps on each floor of the hotel. Belu is a UK-based water company that produces carbon-neutral and ethically-sourced bottled water. 100% of the company’s profits go to WaterAid.

Products & Produce

The hotel works with a wide range of local partners to source food, textiles, furniture, art, and more. The restaurant features a seasonal, plant-centric menu with no meat and no dairy.

Culture

Inhabit believes hotels can be portals of education for locals and travelers. The hotel is involved with the London Design Festival, hosts workshops with local creative freelancers, and showcases art curated by Culture A.

Recreation

Inhabit hosts year-round workshops with local creative freelancers, hosts talks, and offers well-being programs for locals and guests. The hotel also offers running maps and a carefully curated guest directory that features a variety of small businesses.