Taupo home takes out top builders’ reno award
A 1970s Taupo¯ home, renovated for more than $1 million, has gone on to take national honours after cleaning up a host of Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau regional Master Builders Home of the Year Awards.
And a home in Tamahere, near Hamilton, took out a sustainable excellence award.
Taupo¯ -based Haimes Building won Renovation of the Year in the Master Builders House of the Year Awards 2020 and the company also walked away with the Bunnings Renovation Over $1 million award.
Triple Star Management Limited, based in Queenstown, took home the Supreme House of the Year for their Southern House.
Judges said the Taupo¯ renovation, two years in the making, was an impressive example of collaboration between the passionate home owners, a clever designer, and a craftsman builder.
‘‘Renovations always present challenges, require great planning, and need a lot of thinking along the way to incorporate the new, maintain the old, and create a seamless result.
‘‘From the Hinuera stone personally laid at the entry, to the endless straightening of the original structure to cope with the unforgiving new light from the atrium windows on the gib board, the workmanship has been executed beautifully.’’
The renovation, designed by Clint Bramley’s Urban Form Architecture, was intended to enhance the original character, while creating a home for entertaining with the luxuries of modern living.
‘‘The new roof, claddings and fit-out have been carefully constructed with great attention to detail, to tie in with the existing structure,’’ the judges said.
The renovation also included In-slab and radiator heating from an onsite geothermal bore, along with increased insulation and new windows.
A Tamahere home built by Grant Stewart Building won the National APL Window Solutions Sustainable Excellence Award, with the owners pleased with the recognition for their builders.
This year marked 30 years of competition for the Registered Master Builders House of the Year.
An additional 11 category awards, a craftsmanship, a special, and four lifestyle awards were announced at the Virtual National House of the Year Awards Gala on December 11.