Check out the full episode here: https://medium.com/impact-everywhere/bill-bensley-luxury-sustainability-podcast-5c9828be136f

Imagine a zoo where all the humans are caged while the animals roam free. This is just one of the many ground-breaking concepts manifesting in the form of the World Wild resort designed by architect Bill Bensley. Bill is a renowned architect who has created some of the world’s most iconic hotels, resorts, spas, homes, and even palaces, but perhaps more importantly, he has a heart for conservation and bridging the gap between luxury and sustainability. In this episode, Bill talks to Benjamin Von Wong about his process of purchasing the property for Shinta Mani Wild and what he did to craft a one-of-a-kind experience for guests — including building the longest zip line in Southeast Asia — offering guest breathtaking views of the Tmor Rung River.

As listeners will hear, both the environment and community have benefited greatly from the job opportunities created by the resort, with poachers and loggers now being recruited as rangers and able to provide for their families. Bill gets into the White Paper he wrote on the pillars of sustainable design, the kind of conversations he has with hotel owners and developers who have only profits in mind, and how he came to have a say in how the properties he designs are operated. You can also look forward to hearing Bill discuss the value of curiosity, recreational painting, and the environmental goals he hopes to achieve in the future. Check out one of these links for the full episode:

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