About Us

Beyond Building was originally conceived in 2002 by Vince Smith, a fifth generation builder with a vision to create affordable super-energy efficient homes. After losing two homes to hurricanes in Florida, one after the other, and seeing the devastating impact they had upon people’s lives, Vince was also determined to make the houses hurricane proof. Vince worked closely with Henry Zhang a long time business partner of more than 15 years developing strategies and ideas around a unique new ‘green’ composite sandwich panel system to construct affordable/disaster relief housing.

In early 2007 Beyond Building Systems (BBS Australia) was formed, Vince and Henry Zhang partnered with Henrih Horthy an Engineer/Designer who had a passion to develop a new sustainable super-home to suit Australian conditions. The company assembled a dedicated team of professionals to help contribute further skills and depth of experience in manufacturing, energy efficiency, sustainable building design and engineering. In late 2008 Henrih Horthy was appointed as the CEO of BBS (Australia) as part of the company’s restructure and global expansion plan.

Renewable energy has always featured as an integral part of the design of our new homes and in the early part of 2007 we undertook to provide retrofit solar solutions to homeowners and in pursuit of our aim to make solar energy affordable for the homeowner, Beyond Building Energy (BBE) and the Solar Neighbourhoods Campaign was created.

By the end of 2007, Beyond Building Energy had revolutionised the solar industry by aggressively pricing 1kW solar systems at $495 while utilising the Governments rebate programme. “Energy doesn’t have to cost the earth” was BBE’s message to Australia. This approach helped to pave the way forward in making solar systems affordable for most homeowners and drove competition throughout Australia’s solar industry.

By early 2009, BBE was hailed as a “maverick start-up company in 2007” and was now offering a complete 1kW solar system valued at $14,000 fully installed for FREE after claiming the $8000 Government rebate. This aggressive approached was mirrored by other start-up companies creating even more much needed competition until the Government abruptly closed the rebate program without warning on June 9th 2009. BBE is proud to have “kick started” the solar industry in Australia and has been instrumental in achieving the public’s awareness of climate change through its solar community programs.

BBE is now a Multi Million Dollar Sino-Australia Joint Venture with China, the USA and European partners who are at the forefront of breaking down the monopolisation of giant energy companies who they see as attempting to control the open sky’s energy after decades of monopolising energies beneath the earth.

BBE currently operates from 3 Australian locations, Byron Bay, South Tweed and West Burleigh on the Gold Coast with Perth and Brisbane locations due to open mid 2009. BBE holds its manufacturing and technology base in China and has offices in the UK, China and Europe. The company’s strategy focuses on developing affordable solar solutions and solar generating plants in residential and commercial sectors of Australia and Europe and has been responsible for creating employment for more than 150 people within the last 12 months