Our Movers and Shakers series spotlights Aotearoa's leading sustainability professionals who’re transforming the way we design, build and operate our buildings and homes. These are the people leading the charge for a more sustainable environment in Aotearoa.
Benjy Simmons
Benjy Simmons is passionate about improving people’s everyday lives through healthier, more comfortable, energy smart homes and buildings. As Business Development Lead at Stärke - a large-scale manufacturer of high-performing uPVC windows, doors joinery and commercial facades – he’s driving change at grassroots level.
What was your career pathway before joining Stärke?
After leaving school I studied business via long distance learning through Massey University while working for ten years at a small family manufacturing business – designing, fabricating and exporting hydraulic machiney. I started on the shop floor, working up through product development, design and eventually sales management – it taught me a great deal about all aspects of business which has helped me every since!
What did you join Stärke?
Stärke is a challenger brand in a big, old industry which is pretty stuck in its ways but plays a critical role in the comfort, health and energy efficiency of our buildings. I’ve been in my role for five years - and being able to bring real, meaningful change to the lives of Kiwis through environment design and the power of good windows and doors makes my work really meaningful for me.
Has sustainability always been on your radar?
I probably approach sustainability from quite an engineering point of view. I’ve always been interested in engineering efficiency, optimisation and therefore sustainable practices. If the natural environment is our ‘source material’ and the lives we want to live our ‘desired output’ then we need smart design, smart thinking, efficient, sustainable and scalable methods to achieve a good lived experience without depleting natural resources.
Stärke has transitioned from a window and door manufacturer to a building performance company. Why?
It was the dawning realisation of just how much of an impact windows and doors have on building performance. For decades Stärke supplied mass-market windows and doors like many of our competitors. During the COVID-19 years we began to understand the majority of heat loss and heat gain in homes and buildings is through windows. So the main driver of our primary discomfort (temperature) and our energy usage (space heating and space cooling) is windows and doors.
Once the full knowledge of that burden of responsibility was realised - the only course of action was to do all we could to improve. Even with world-class products, while we can radically improve comfort, windows and doors are still the most expensive and lowest performing element of the thermal envelope. So there’s always room to do more!
How do uPVC windows and doors deliver benefits for homes and occupants?
Comfort, then health, then energy efficiency. There are so many things but what resonates most is the comfort that naturally stable temperatures bring to a home. That comfort radically improves your health; warm bedrooms overnight, cool lounges on summer afternoons – and it brings wellbeing not only to the occupants but also to whole communities.
And it’s not just theory – we have so many anecdotes of people who’ve spent their first winter without getting sick, who’ve barely used their air-conditioning and have begun to use spaces in their home in totally different ways because they’re no longer too hot or cold.
Then there’s the bonus of energy efficiency and power bill savings - without compromising health and comfort. There’s also acoustic comfort- increased burglar resistance and of course no more condensation or mould growth!
Any success stories you can briefly tell us about?
I guess my own home - dearest to my heart! It’s a 1970’s concrete block house which had single glazing, big windows facing due west and a lounge with a high raked ceiling. When I moved in over five years ago - before I worked at Stärke - we froze in winter despite having a fire and were insufferably hot in summer. We didn’t know better – that was just how life was. Replacing the windows with Ambiance uPVC and low solar gain glass in early 2024 has radically changed our lived experience in the home. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t appreciate the difference it’s made -rain, hail or sunshine!
What other certifications and products can bring positive change?
I think the passive house movement is interesting and growing at pace; and has much to teach us.
I also think low solar gain glass is an underrated secret weapon. There’s so much conversation now about overheating and while there are many causes I believe low solar gain glass is a very cheap way of preventing heat from entering the home in the first place. Used wisely it can make a huge difference.
Our energy efficiency building regulations have been ramped up since 2023 – will this translate into better, warmer, drier dwellings?
Absolutely. More than just the legislation, I’ve noticed it’s shifted conversations, awareness, knowledge, even among the general public. So many people are now realizing there’s potential for our homes and buildings to feel so much better than they currently do.
What do you most love about your job?
The opportunity to make a real difference. We are at a fascinating period of change in this industry, certainly as far as the window industry is concerned. I’d say a once-in-50-years period of change. And it’s amazing to be involved in that.
What is your favourite green building here in Aotearoa or overseas?
There are a few - and getting to be more and more! Probably Tākina in Wellington. It’s so iconic and such a lovely building to be in.