First-time developers typically take on economical builds but the couple behind this brand-new north Epsom home, who have a strong emotional attachment to the site, opted for premium liveability.
Andrew Hobbs and Allen Huang worked closely with Mike Roulston Architecture, Your Builder and interior designer Suede + Stone to create this low maintenance, double-grammar zoned home.
Andrew says: “Allen’s parents bought an older house on this site as their family home when they moved to New Zealand in the 1990s and we’ve both lived in that with them. That was demolished, this home has been built and will be sold and we plan to build another new home behind this where we’ll live with Allen’s parents again.
“So the new owners here will be able to tell us over their back fence how they’re enjoying it.”
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They describe this 171sqm home’s aesthetic as Japandi inspired, combining elements of Japanese simplicity and Scandinavian warmth.
“We weren’t keen on squeezing in multiple townhouses. We’ve spent so long planning this project and have been really focused on creating somewhere people will love living every day, which we’ll be proud to live next door to.
“Allen, who works as a designer, has driven our vision to make it a reality, working very closely with Mike. Because we’ve previously lived right here we know this location is fantastic, an easy walk from Newmarket, Mt Eden and the domain, with motorway access nearby.”
The front rock wall is a polished reinterpretation of a previous rustic one. Dense basalt rock was removed during initial site excavation. The lawn-less 391sqm property has paving stone steps, flanked by low-maintenance planting, gently ascending to the front deck and front doors on the upper level of two.
The 171sqm home’s aesthetic is Japandi inspired, combining elements of Japanese simplicity and Scandinavian warmth. Photo / Supplied
The two-storey home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, garaging and off-street parking. Photo / Supplied
The 391sqm property has paving stone steps, flanked by low-maintenance planting, gently ascending to the front deck and front doors on the upper level of two. Photo / Supplied
Front pittosporum and a mature Japanese maple were retained from the previous garden, lending some dappled privacy to the sunny front deck admiring the greenery of Withiel Thomas Reserve. The dark exterior palette teams vertical aluminium fins (bestowing privacy on the front bedroom) with Weathertex Weathergroove Ruff Sawn cladding and black-hued lower-level bricks.
The front door’s design is reminiscent of Japanese shoji screens’ geometry, as is the internal-access single garage’s Prestige Plexiglass garage door. Entry into the upper level envelops you within the open-plan kitchen-living-dining area’s retreat-like, softly warm and welcoming palette.
Staircase balustrading of vertical timber slats allows extra light to stream in across wood-look Ecodure Duracore Silent flooring.
“I like polished wooden floors but as owners of our German Pinscher, Zeb, we know they’re not particularly hardy, so we chose more resilient flooring.”
Big front sliding doors create seamless flow out to durable, low-maintenance composite decking. The kitchen island integrating bar seating showcases Taj Mahal marble and the induction cooktop, oven, fridge, dishwasher and insinkerator are from Fisher & Paykel.
The ground floor houses the third bedroom, a powder room and the carpeted, insulated single garage with EV charger. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Sam Wallace says: “The horizontal nature of this new home, as compared to a townhouse, is sparking a lot of interest and proving a huge drawcard.” Photo / Supplied
The front primary bedroom and the second upper-level bedroom each have a wall of wardrobing, served respectively by a svelte-looking ensuite and the main bathroom (which doubles as visitors’ powder room).
The ground floor houses the third bedroom, a powder room and the carpeted, insulated single garage with EV charger.
“Some people will have the sort of car they want garaged but if they use the two off-street carparks instead this could be an office or home gym.”
The home comes with a 10-year Halo guarantee. “We’re really proud of what we’ve created here and think it will appeal to a wide range of buyers including downsizers, small families and professional couples.”
Bayleys agent Sam Wallace says: “The horizontal nature of this new home, as compared to a townhouse, is sparking a lot of interest and proving a huge drawcard.”
- 14 Withiel Drive in Epsom, Auckland, is for sale by a set date, closing May 14
