Sustainable Tourism Construction
The site clearing for Tiamo was done by hand using machetes and chainsaws to preserve the existing vegetation. All transport of materials to the Tiamo site was done by hand, using small shallow draft boats to reduce the likelihood of the dredging that a larger vessel might do. All wood used in construction of Tiamo was precut in one area, then moved by hand to each building site and assembled with light power tools.
A prototype building was constructed in Indiana prior to ordering materials in order to ensure the least possible waste during construction. Scrap materials were saved and have been used to make furniture and other items. A good deal of construction was done utilizing electricity generated entirely by the solar power system. The construction crew consisted of a local South Andros Island crew. Up to twenty locals were employed at one point during construction with only three non-Bahamians as part the construction management team.
