Page 46 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Industry
Profile

Building the future

Finally, the market is catching
up to the type of sustainable
homes that Kenick
Constructions have been
building all along.
Kenick Construction’s Kent Hams
Words Gavin King

For years, Kenick Constructions owner approach in building sustainable tropical
Kent Hams and his colleague Rachel housing. Despite the recognition on a Q&A
Whymark were swimming against the national scale, the team had to work hard with Kent Hams
tide. to change first impressions in the local
Going green, focusing on sustainability, market. What’s your take on the Cairns economy
and designing for the climate weren’t “There is a perception that sustainable at the moment? Are we on the way up as
popular practises in the building equates to expensive, but we have shown so many reports and projects suggest?
industry. Take a drive around the suburbs that it can be done very affordably,” Kent As chairman of the Housing Industry
of Cairns and you’ll see boxed in block said. “We found the best solutions Association (HIA) in Cairns and having
homes better suited to the winter climate specifically for the tropics to bring been a member of the HIA for many
in Canberra. running costs down to save our clients years, I can see that finally there is a
Now, it seems the tide is turning. The hundreds, but usually thousands, of groundswell of positivity that seems long
world has woken up. Sustainability is dollars every year. And it made the home overdue. It has been over a decade with
more than just a buzzword; it’s become a much healthier and more comfortable little movement in our housing industry,
realisation that we need act now to pass too. We are so glad that other builders are and the last few years in particular have
on a better world to future generations. seeing the merit in this form of been very tough for many, including us.
“It’s pretty simple really,” Kent explains to construction, and we have always been With investment in our region
Tropic. “We believe that building a very open to sharing our knowledge with returning, and finally some larger
sustainable home in the tropics is the the industry to improve and promote projects underway, confidence is
common-sense approach. It should be the sustainable practices as much as possible. boosted and we are seeing a level of
norm, not the exception. They are That way we can make more of a interest again that we have not seen for a
cheaper to run, healthier to live in and difference for future generations as well while. With so few homes for rent (rental
perfect for our tropical environment. as keep running costs low for our clients.” vacancy rates for houses are still under
Sustainability has been in our DNA from 2%) and with more people choosing to
the very beginning.” move here from southern states, supply
Kenick Constructions has won numerous and demand should dictate that 2018 will
national awards for its forward-thinking be a strong year.