An enclave off Auckland’s exclusive Arney Road is a truly unexpected location for this tree-clad retreat and its unique passive solar residence.
With a lush landscape and tranquil ambience that feels more Titirangi than suburban Remuera, this four-bedroom home is a masterclass in sustainability and efficiency and has been designed as an homage to its natural environment.
The concept was brought to life by owners Stu Smith and his wife, ecologist Dr Robyn Simcock, who purchased the north-facing site 17 years ago with the vision to build a passive solar house. Instead of demolishing the state house that previously occupied the land, they pulled it apart piece by piece and retrieved the useable timber.
“I used the rimu joists to make the stair treads and I made a table and various other bits and pieces. It connects the old house to the new one and is also part of the whole recycling concept. Ninety-nine percent of houses just get smashed up with a digger and taken off to landfill,” says Stu.
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Sustainability and utilising local materials was a key ethos when it came to construction.
“You can go off to Canada and get cedar but that just seems nuts to me, why not use stuff that we’ve got down the road? So the house is clad in locally-sourced Cypress Lusitanica – we’ve got some really cool stuff here that we didn’t need to go to the northern hemisphere for.”
Inside, walls of floor-to-ceiling double glazing flood the spacious living and accommodation zones with natural light and sun, and showcase the lush native forest and a leafy stream valley below.
Function and performance are at the forefront of the considered, beautifully engineered design, which have created a breathable, comfortable living environment, all year round.
Winter warmth is gathered through the thermal concrete floor and the home stays cool in summer through natural ventilation, shaded glazing and the “thermal chimney” (stairwell). Photo / Supplied
With a lush landscape and tranquil ambience, the property feels more Titirangi than suburban Remuera. Photo / Supplied
Winter warmth is gathered through the thermal concrete floor, then the home stays refreshingly cool in summer through natural ventilation, shaded glazing and a “thermal chimney” (the stairwell) that draws air gently through it.
The clever layout is further enhanced with features like wool insulation, fibreglass foundations to prevent heat loss and a green roof above the carport that cools and shelters.
“It’s a really cool house to live in as it’s warm in the winter and reasonably cool in summer. There’s no gas fireplace, no wood burner or anything artificial. We can heat the floors underneath artificially but we don’t need to because most of the time the sun, the air and the temperature does it all for us.”
Upstairs, three restful bedrooms are serviced by two bathrooms. They capture morning light and enjoy a sense of tree-filtered privacy. A ply-lined cabin behind the carport and storeroom serves as a private and versatile studio, workshop, gym or fourth bedroom.
As the house sits within the tree canopy, Stu says the diversity of the native birds is pretty impressive for the middle of the city.
Walls of floor-to-ceiling double glazing flood the home with natural light and sun, and showcase the lush native forest. Photo / Supplied
The ply-lined cabin behind the carport serves as a private and versatile studio, workshop, gym or fourth bedroom. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “It’s so gorgeous and private with big windows that make you feel like you’re living amongst the trees.” Photo / Supplied
“We see birds that you generally only hear in the bush, like grey warblers and moreporks, as well as kotare, tui, piwakawaka, and kereru. I was working in the garden right on dusk one night and a morepork swooped in quietly. I looked at it and it looked at me, then off it flew.”
The neighbourhood’s school zoning will also appeal to families and includes Victoria Avenue School, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls Grammar and ACG Parnell, while the University of Auckland is also within easy reach.
Steve and Nila Koerber, from Bayleys, are selling the property and Steve says this is one of the most unique homes he’s ever represented.
“It’s so gorgeous and private with big windows that make you feel like you’re living amongst the trees. I’ve learned so much about sustainable living from the owners – it’s a great topic to learn.”
- 11A Wiles Avenue in Remuera, Auckland, is for sale, deadline closing November 20
