Sustainability and Your Home

At Generation we take the principles of Sustainability seriously - our aim is to get ahead of the game and become a progressive building industry leader in this area.

Generation endeavours to build homes that are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development.
Key elements include:

• Reduction of waste during construction
• Efficient management of the construction process to minimise wasted time and materials
• Products and services to help us progress towards a sustainable future
• The need to minimise any harmful effects on human health resulting from building products or design
• Importance of recognising any special traditional/cultural aspects of building use
• Costs of a building over its life
• Efficient use of energy, and energy conservation, and the renewable sources of energy in buildings
• Material conservation and sustainable use of materials
• Efficient use of water and the need for water conservation
• The need to enure maintenance requirements of housing are reasonable and that owners are aware of these

How we incorporate sustainable business practise into the construction of our homes

Before beginning this programme, we needed to define how the word 'environment' is used in the context of sustainability. The word is used here to specifically discuss natural resource-related matters (i.e. timber usage, waste output, energy consumption etc).

In a broader sense, it relates to our business operations in the larger context of society. This programme focuses on creating balance between financial and environmental areas.  Mark Kopke, Generation's Projects Manager, suggests:  "Sustainability isn't just a 'nice' thing to do.  It ensures the ongoing viability of your business providing significant benefits.  It should be looked at as a pragmatic business decision rather than just a movement towards being 'green'.  The three key aspects of sustainability as we see it are financial, social and environmental.  Each is vital and must be balanced for a truly sustainable business".

Generation was the first company to have their plans Lifetime Design Certified. Lifetime Design is a foundation that promotes a way of thinking about 'design' so that it works for the whole population. The key principles of Lifetime Design are:

• Ease of Use - Approved designes are uncomplicated and can be easily used by people with differing abilities.
• Ease of Adaption - The place or product can be cost effective and simply adapted to meet changing needs over time.
• Ease of Access - You and the people in your life can easily access the place or service.
• Ease of Inclusion - Our environment and homes include everybody.

BRANZ article - Helping to Create a Sustainable Future the Generation Way

Sustainability accolades

• 2007 Winner of Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Award for Productivity
• 2006 Winner of Bay of Plenty Stage 2 Sustainable Business Award

Sustainable suppliers

With a winning combination of product and service, Generation has created relationships with suppliers who fulfill our sustainability principles.

Environmental Policy

To help Generation run a more sustainable and profitable business, we created an Environmental Policy detailing our commitment to environmental management. Click here to view.