A River View and a Vision: Greg & Maree’s SIPs High-Performance Home Journey in Hamilton

At TAWA Architecture, we love working with clients who are deeply invested not just in the home they’re building, but in the way it will shape their life for decades to come. Recently, we sat down with Greg and Maree, the proud owners of one of our high-performance SIPs homes located just outside Hamilton. Their story is one of family, forward-thinking, and the kind of living that connects people and place.

Returning home to the Waikato with purpose

Greg and Maree's story begins in the South Island, where they lived for nearly 25 years after leaving the Waikato in the early ‘90s. But with both their sons settling back up north - and grandchildren now in the picture - the draw to return was too strong to ignore.

"I said, I’m coming back," Greg tells us. "My brothers and sisters are here… it’d be quite nice to live somewhere rural or semi-rural, but where we could live in reasonable proximity to one another."

Their vision wasn’t just about lifestyle - it was about creating a space where family could thrive together, where after-school hours might mean a visit to the grandparents instead of daycare.

Inspired by efficiency and sustainability

As an accountant, Greg brings a pragmatic lens to building. But it’s clear his motivation for choosing a SIPs home goes beyond the numbers.

"I’ve got deep pockets and short arms," he jokes, "so I’ve always liked the idea of not paying a big power bill every month."

Greg’s long-standing interest in sustainable and passive house principles naturally aligned with the performance benefits of SIPs. While the final dollar-for-dollar comparison may be complex, the value of a home that’s warm, efficient, and built to last was undeniable.

A design that resonated

When the initial design concept was presented, Greg and Maree immediately connected with it.

"I certainly looked at the design and thought, oh, I could live in that house."

They were drawn to the open plan layout, indoor-outdoor flow, and the thoughtfulness behind every spatial decision - including a simple yet meaningful request: a view of the river from the kitchen sink.

"That’s when I think I’d look at the view the most."

This detail - small in isolation, yet deeply personal - encapsulates the essence of their journey: a house not just as shelter, but as an extension of life’s rhythms.

Ready for what’s next

With move-in day approaching, the anticipation is building. From the flexible outdoor spaces shaped by prevailing winds, to the promise of a warm, efficient interior, Greg and Maree are ready to embrace the next chapter of their lives - rooted in family, comfort, and smart design.

"Really, I’m looking forward to living in a house like that," Maree says, a smile in her voice.

We’re honoured to have been part of their journey, and we can’t wait to see how this home supports and grows with their family for years to come.

High-Performance Project Highlights

Lowe Road, Hamilton is a high-performance home designed with architectural precision, incorporating the principles of thermal-bridge-free construction, a prefabricated SIP envelope, airtight construction, heat recovery, and thermally broken door and window systems. The home is positioned to capture extensive views over the Waikato River while also providing sheltered outdoor areas to accommodate the site's exposed conditions. Its prefabricated elements ensure a level of precision and thermal performance that surpasses traditional construction methods.

Designed to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living, the home features doors that can be opened or closed to create semi-outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed year-round. Its high-performance envelope guarantees exceptional comfort for the building’s lifetime, while its thoughtful architecture ensures it will be cherished for generations. This enduring design philosophy aligns with Tawa Architecture’s commitment to long-term sustainability.

Follow along for more updates on this build.