A LEADING supplier of architectural coating systems has won a major environmental award for its eco-friendly Gold Coast design centre.
Rockcote, which specialises in manufacturing decorative architectural coatings, pre-blended cement renders and patching compounds, was awarded the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Green Building Award for its Nerang warehouse/showroom.
The award was presented by Ian Kiernan, Chairman of Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World, and recognises actions taken at a local level to address global environmental issues.
Rockcote’s Nerang centre has received widespread appraisal for its environmentally friendly credentials such as water self sufficiency, a worm farm, compost systems, photovoltaic panels for energy generation and use of a number of recycled and renewable materials.
Staff at the centre even pick organic herbs from the onsite garden to make tea for clients and grow their own flowers and vegetables.
Managing director Bob Cameron, says he was delighted to receive the award and hoped that it would encourage other businesses to follow sustainable, green building design practices.
“People say there is a water and energy crisis, there isn’t. All we’ve got is a crisis of logic,” says Cameron.
“Once you understand the natural patterns and interconnectedness of things – even a building and its relationship to the environment — great savings can be made for the environment and the business.”
Rockcote’s design centre is focused on environmentally sensitive education and hosts regularly monthly public tours and ‘on request’ tours for university students, school students and building designers.
The UN award was just the first of a steady stream of accolades for Rockcote, which went on to win the 2009 Premier’s Award for Leadership in Business Sustainability and the AIM Medal of Management Excellence.
“Rockcote’s business philosophy has always focused on the synergy between people, our products and the environment,” says Cameron.
“To be truly successful in business I believe that functionality and profitability must work in tandem with environmental sustainability.”
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