Laing Properties Ltd is a proud family owned business that has been building new transportable homes and relocating pre-owned homes in the South Island for over 20 years.  Whilst the terminology is new we believe that the philosophy of sustainability - economic, social and environmental balance are the same fundamental principles that have underpinned our business from the day we shifted our first home.  We have worked to build a balanced business, which delivers a high quality product to our customers, provides a sustainable viable return and looks after the environment and our employees.

A key part of our business is the relocation of existing structures - whether they be homes, offices, churches, sheds or commercial buildings.  Preserving and relocating an existing structure is one the most sustainable building choices that can be made.  No matter how sustainable, green or environmentally sensitive a new building design is it will always be outperformed by the re-use of an existing structure.  Architect Carl Elefante puts this more succinctly when he states: "the greenest building is the one that is already built."

Here are some of the reasons why relocating an existing building is a more sustainable building choice;

• Rehabilitating a building requires less energy than building a new one, so fewer fossil fuels are wasted and less greenhouse gas is produced.
• Rehabilitating buildings saves on landfill space.
• Saving a building also means saving all the embodied energy that was used to build and maintain it. Demolishing a building is quite simply a waste of energy.
• Rehabilitating a building uses skilled labour
• Heritage buildings are built out of low energy intensive materials.
• Reusing old buildings cuts down on the need for new developments which encroach on our green spaces.
• Reusing old buildings fosters green lifestyle choices. Living and working in old buildings usually means living more centrally, commuting less and biking or walking more.

As our business continues to grow and develop we are looking for new ways to improve our overall sustainability.  We have recently completed a first principles review of our operations as they relate to our environmental performance.  We are working our way through the recommendations of this process and will methodically integrate the recommendations of this work into our business.

Laing Properties is proud to be a member of the NZGBC as we believe this organisations is important in providing leadership, influencing policy development and developing rating tools in the expanding area of sustainable housing.   We support the idea of a common integrated residential rating tool and we await with interest the developments in this area that are being driven by the NZGBC, BRANZ and Beacon Pathway.

The New Zealand Green Building Council is an industry organisation dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of market-based green building practices

Laing Properties is also proud of its contribution to the community.  Each year we budget resources to contribute to the community. We have recently provided assistance to Habitat for Humanity in the relocation of a new home, transported a Charity Home for Cure Kids and helped with the establishment of a community vegetable garden for Richmond School.