National House of the Year 2020

Local Building Company, Haimes, Takes out the 2020 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Title Two years ago, the team at Haimes Building embarked on a project that was set to transform a simple bach into a stunning home, a project that went on to claim the national accolade of Supreme Renovation of the Year at the 2020 Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition. Set on a double elevated section with panoramic views of the lake, the 1964 character home was ripe for renovation, one that would fulfil the potential of the impressive site.  The family that owned it could foresee what it could be and entrusted Taupo architect Clint Bramley and Haimes Building to fulfil their vision and it proved to be successful in more ways than one. Judges said this renovation ‘was an impressive example of collaboration between the passionate homeowners, a clever designer and a craftsman builder’. Haimes Building, owned by Mark & Tanya Haimes and Phil Pool, has grown to a team of 20 and are proud to be locally owned and operated and have an enduring connection with the Taupo community.   Regarding this award-winning project, Mark acknowledged that renovations can be very challenging, can evolve as the project progresses and require a lot of collaboration between the team and with suppliers and contractors but that is also what he and the team find most rewarding.  Mark said that ‘he gets a lot of enjoyment out of working together and seeing an old home brought back to life’. The judges when onto comment that ‘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’. Haimes Building is no stranger to these awards and has claimed multiple national titles over the years, however, they find this title particularly satisfying given this was their first entry into the awards in three years.  Along with the National House of the Year win, Haimes also claimed the Bunnings Renovation Over $1 million award and the regional supreme, category and lifestyle awards. With the standard of competition at these awards, Mark confirmed that you really need to have a project with the X-Factor to stand out and this home had all the makings to be a winner, for both the award and for the homeowners to enjoy for generations to come.  The House of the Year judges agreed, ‘this is a wonderful alteration that the owners clearly enjoy, and has been built to stand the test of time’.