BRANZ walks the talk
As BRANZ employees look to provide up- to- date information on issues affecting the building industry, they can’t have too many complaints about working conditions.
The Judgeford- based company opened the $11.4 million state-of-theart ‘‘Totara’’ building earlier this year, where many of the administration, publishing, finance, marketing and senior management are housed.
The design, which has the latest heating and cooling technologies, brings them forward from their ‘‘stateof-the-ark’’ offices that had existed for 30 years, says quality and environ- mental manager Don Richards.
The company strives to use the most energy-efficient workplace practices possible.
‘‘It’s exceeded our expectations, the architects [Warren and Mahoney] and contractor [Fletcher Building] have really made something special.
‘‘We are in the building marketplace and we need to be seen to be a leader in innovation. It’s important our message is consistent and we’re seen to be walking the talk.’’
The Totara building’s centrepiece is the cafeteria and recreation area, with chairs, pool and ping-pong tables.
‘‘ We want to make the work environment as good as possible. We want staff to socialise and we’ve created the chance to do that.’’
BRANZ intends to upgrade its testing areas and labs, and its wastewater treatment plant.
To put a positive full stop on the Totara upgrade, Warren and Mahoney were recently given two gongs at the New Zealand Institute of Architects regional awards, in the commercial and sustainable categories.
Chief executive Pieter Burghout says BRANZ is now working on rebuilding Christchurch’s residential suburbs with effective materials and practices; the durability of industry products; weathertightness solutions; and combating moisture in homes.