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With hundreds of houses going up around Mahurangi, Susan Brutscher has relocated her business, Greenhome Designs, to help reduce the waste and pollution from the construction boom.
The interior design and consulting business focuses on environmentally conscious practices for new and existing buildings.
The Ministry for the Environment estimates that about 50 per cent of all New Zealand’s waste comes from demolition and construction, making up 20 per cent of all landfill waste.
This has a significant impact on the environment, Susanne says.
“Everything we consume has an impact. We have a moral obligation to work with respect for the environment.
“Many common building materials contain toxins, which some people don’t realise. When these go to landfill, the toxic products leach into the soil and waterways.
“Whenever possible, it is advisable to use natural materials and low-footprint options.”
Susanne first became interested in healthier building practices while growing up in Germany.
“My family has a construction company and my father was an architect.”
After gaining a degree in commerce and qualifying as a nurse, she assisted in her husband’s GP clinic until moving to NZ in 1996.
“We immigrated because of New Zealand’s clean-green image at the time, which is now struggling with the kind of environmental challenges that the rest of the world faces.”
The family built and ran one of NZ’s first eco health resorts near Nelson. Susanne soon became passionate about a career in green and healthy home designs, and studied interior design and building biology.
After experiencing growing interest in her consulting business at the Auckland Green Living shows, she moved to the region three months ago.
“It’s time for common sense alternatives,” Susanne says. “I’ve been meeting with some architects and contractors in the region and there is definitely an understanding of the need to make a difference.”
Greenhome Designs will have a stall at the Green Living Show, ASB Showgrounds in Auckland on July 2 and 3.
