Jasmax Applauds Green Building Council’s First Ten Years

Media Release

23 November 2016

Jasmax Applauds Green Building Council’s First Ten Years

The NZ Green Building Council has made building ‘greener’ and fundamentally changed attitudes to design and building in New Zealand.

That was the word from Jasmax, one of the country’s largest design and architectural practices, on the eve of the NZ Green Building Council’s 10 year anniversary.

Jasmax Managing Principal Marko den Breems says: “The Green Building Council has normalised the language, ideas and value of building with green principles in New Zealand. It’s created much more awareness of green building. Whilst there are many clients who had some understanding of sustainable design, now many mainstream clients have a baseline understanding that things can be done better.”

Jasmax has designed around 15% of the Green Building Council’s 133 Green Star Rated buildings and certified interiors over ten years. Jasmax is deeply imbued in sustainable design, thinking and philosophic outlook. Its own offices boast ISO 14001 environmental certification, worm farms, interiors of recycled materials (such as recycled tyres and waste paper acoustic ceiling tiles), electric bikes and shared car transport.

“When you build a Green Star building, you’re not necessarily doing much differently. You can simply be selective and greener in the products you choose,” says Mr den Breems. “So the buildings generally last longer, because they’re of better quality. They’re more thoughtfully put together. You are also likely to save 20 to 30% on energy use.

“One of the big benefits of Green Starred buildings is that they’re healthier too. In a new building, where materials have been specifically selected for low toxicity through green star criteria, you don’t get that ‘chemical tang’ like you used to; from the paints, sealants, carpet and furniture. In many Green Starred buildings, there’s 50% more ventilation from fresh air.

“In addition, there are now studies which show that from an investment point of view, Green Starred buildings show a better return.”

Mr den Breems says that Jasmax supported the early days of the Green Building Council in New Zealand, lending the organisation office space within its Auckland studio and as a member of their establishment board. Principal Tim Hooson then chaired the organisation from 2013 to 2015.

“One of the early drivers of green buildings in New Zealand has been international businesses and banks locating here,” says Mr den Breems. “These organisations had already worked in green buildings in Australia and elsewhere. In many case, head office has said to New Zealand “You must be in a green building”, and that’s really helped the momentum here.”

Mr den Breems says that Jasmax is now working with clients on a journey further than simply a ‘green building’. “Our aim is to support enthusiastic clients to invest in transformational change. So some have invested in buildings that aim to make almost no carbon footprint on the land, or have any environmental impact.

“That is the way the future is pointing – towards ‘restorative buildings’. Green buildings are an important milestone on the journey to this end.”

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