The Linville - First Parade of Homes Entry - Silver Medal
After designing and building homes for six years, Bruce Weber had a good number of satisfied clients and had been described in the N&O as "A New Light in Solar Construction". It was time to test himself in the "big leagues."
He decided to enter a home in the Parade of Homes contest, and as a one man company, compete against national builders with teams of architects, interior designers, well recognized names, and unlimited capital. He designed and built a house to appeal to the technically and aesthetically sophisticated home buyer. It was built to show the public a Havencroft home's superior structural techniques, and advanced technology.
The interior was also finished in elegant detail, including real raised panel wainscoting, custom shaped trim profiles, and much more. He was rewarded for his efforts with a Silver Medal. Click on the picture to go to the gallery.
The Woodhaven - Second Parade of Homes Entry - Gold Medal
In Bruce Weber's first entry into this contest in 2001, he concentrated on superior structure and technology, for the highest possible quality, even when it couldn't be seen. The house was a clean, functional but somewhat typical design that was years ahead of other builders. He was rewarded with a Silver Medal. He learned that Parade judges appreciated visible quality, but they really wanted dramatic volumes and spaces; sizzle, professional merchandising, and cosmetic beauty.
For his second attempt, the Woodhaven was designed to emphasize Bruce's ability to design a home with unique style, class and sophistication; a home completely suited to the needs of an emerging market, the active empty nesters. He created a stunning brick and stone house with unparalleled form, function and beauty.
It was the only ranch style home in almost 100 entries, and only contained 2 bedrooms, at a price around $400,000! The superior structure and advanced technology Havencroft Homes are known for was still present, but the design elements took center stage. The result was a Gold Medal in October of 2002. Click on the picture to go to the gallery.
The Hillcroft - Third Parade of Homes Entry - Silver Medal
The third entry for Havencroft was the Hillcroft; another home designed personally by Bruce Weber. This entry served to show another style example from the design computer of Mr. Weber. and to keep the Havencroft name before the public.
The Hillcroft is a Craftsman style farmhouse with fairly standard looks for the market augmented by color selection and cosmetic details. At 3,500 sf with a walk-up attic media room, it represented outstanding value. It, of course includes the high technology and energy efficiency Havencroft is famous for, as well as some design surprises like the open two level stairs.
It is a fairly typical house, done really well. And it achieved the record of Mr. Weber becoming the only builder known to win silver and gold medals in each of his first three entry years in the Parade of Homes, with designs he personally created.
Somerset - Forth Parade of Homes Entry
The forth entry into the Durham -Orange Parade of Homes was the Somerset, a plan four years in the making. It was designed to be the ultimate example of Havencroft's motto - "Yesterday's Craftsmanship and Tomorrow's Technology." Precisely set on 10 acres in a luxury home area of Hillsborough, it was the culmination of over a decade of hard work and devotion to the art of design, and the engineering of construction.
The result was hundreds of admiring visitors, with comments like, "I've been through more houses than 95% of the people coming through your door, and I've seen every million dollar house in the last six years, and this house is above all of them!"
However the result was no medal, and the recognition that at this price level, the judging was not without the additional influence of connections and politics. Click on the image to go to a complete gallery of the exterior and interior of this amazing home.
Morganton - Alamance County Parade of Homes -
Best Overall Silver and Best Master Bath
In 2007 Havencroft started building in Alamance County and entered the Morganton in the Parade. It was to be the model home for his part in a large subdivision near Elon College. This 4 bedrrom 2 1/2 bath Transistional with Dining, Family and Hearth room won a Best Overall Silver Medal.
