Woodwork
Simon Raikes of Craftbuilt on the appreciation for craftsmanship and love for characterful detailing in our homes.
As a powerhouse of New Zealand timber craftsmanship, Craftbuilt has been shaping everything from round windows to marble-clad staircases. At the helm is Simon Raikes, a man with a passion for woodwork. Since purchasing the business from his former employer in 2018, Simon has transformed Craftbuilt into a versatile and high-end woodworking studio.
Known for custom timber furniture, architectural features, louvres, staircases and more, the team tackles everything from large-scale villa restorations to one-off feature pieces. “People always ask what our niche is,” Simon says. “Honestly, we just about make anything for anybody. Whether it’s a 1970s Scandinavian lounge chair or a four-poster bed, we’ll do it.” This ensures the passion is never lost as Simon and the team continue to learn and hone their craft.
It’s this flexibility that has earned Craftbuilt a loyal client base across the country. One longstanding project has been the manufacture of timber louvres for the Burlington Villas in Christchurch, a development Simon has been involved with for over five years. “All the decorative timber louvres on those villas are made right here in Levin,” he says. There is a clear sense of pride in creating products that are then used nationwide.
Simon admits he’s always felt the pull of the South Island. “If I had my way, I’d shift everything south,” he says. “Our craftsmanship deserves to be located and on display in the Deep South. However, being in Levin means we’re central to both the North and South Island, so it’s a good compromise.”
For now, after a year-long build, Simon and his team have moved into a new factory and showroom in Levin, complete with polished concrete floors and the space to display furniture, architectural pieces and design vignettes.
The new space will also showcase pieces from WeWood, a luxury Portuguese furniture brand that Craftbuilt now imports exclusively into New Zealand. “We’ve visited their factory in person. It’s absolutely amazing,” says Simon. “We have some of their beautiful timber furniture in stock already, ready to display.”
While Craftbuilt’s clients are often homeowners, designers and architects frequently seek them out, too. Some are standout projects, such as a curved solid timber staircase in a luxury Auckland build, or an upcoming “hobbit-style” house in the South Island, filled with circular window frames.
Every piece has a story, from a walnut dining table made from a client’s tree to intricate fretwork adorning a Wellington villa. “We’re doing fewer mass-produced items and more meaningful, one-off projects,” he says. “That’s the kind of work I love.”
The team at Craftbuilt are true artisans, with a business built on passion, precision and a love of all things timber.
