Meet the members: In conversation with Ingo Hamann

Ingo Hamann is the managing director at Stiebel Eltron South Africa, which focuses on intelligent building services (green energy and smart technology) to improve living comfort. He answered our questions to give us insight into his work, the environment and what inspires him.

1.  Where do you go for inspiration?

Most of the time I go for a long walk in the forest. I am fortunate enough to live just a few meters away from it. When I go for a walk, I can think about everything in peace. Of course, I don’t take a mobile phone with me. Just a little notebook.

2.  What is the best part of your workday?

The best time during a working day is in the afternoon. When the team and I have taken on and worked through most of the tasks, I treat myself to a cup of coffee and take a little time to implement new ideas in projects.

3.  What achievement are you most proud of?

I think a lot of small things lead to what you can be proud of personally. I wouldn’t want to highlight anything in particular here. I am proud of my children, but of course my wife has a very large part in them.

4.  What do you think is the most urgent global environmental challenge facing us?

Even if many people might not want to hear it. It’s definitely climate change. And it’s not just a change, it’s a crisis. For me it is important to do as much as possible to bring the world back to order a little. Our world really needs all the help.

5.  What do you feel is the biggest issue in the green building industry that we have to overcome, and any ideas on where to start in tackling it?

In addition to the investment costs, the greatest challenge is the selection of materials and technologies and their affordability for everyone. Good building and system technology must be affordable. This also avoids the purchase of supposedly environmentally friendly products, which at second glance then show that they do more harm than are environmentally friendly. This can be achieved through targeted funding in high-quality and sustainable technologies. This funding can flow into the development, manufacture and purchase of the products.