From the street, you’d be forgiven for presuming 83 Lucerne Road in Remuera was a bunker. Large concrete slabs frame the entrance, while vertical timber slats that perfectly line up with the perimeter fence hide everything that goes on behind closed doors.
Inside, a bunker it is not. Instead, beyond the threshold you’ll discover a modern, light, bright, and welcoming space that revolves around family living.
83 Lucerne Road is on the market for sale by way of auction on March 8.
Ray White agent Harry Champtaloup, who is marketing the property, says the home is full of surprises.
Start your property search
“The home unfurls from the concrete entrance into a really private sanctuary. The elevation and the views are surprisingly private when you consider the amount of glass Clara and Ben have used and how much light comes into the home,” he says.
“Some architecturally designed homes don’t take family living into account – it’s more about the design. Jose [Gutierrez] has done an excellent job at coupling statement, sophisticated design with functional and comfortable family living.”
Owners Clara and Ben wanted to create a large, family home for their five children and parents who visit New Zealand from the UK every year. They liked the combination of concrete and cedar so engaged architect Jose Gutierrez who had worked on similar projects and came highly recommended.
From the outside, the Remuera home looks like a bunker with large concrete slabs framing the entrance, while vertical timber slats perfectly line up with the perimeter fence. Photo / Supplied
“I sent Jose some images of the look we were going for, and he came back straight away with a concept that we loved – and that was that,” says Clara.
The final product is an ultra-modern and surprisingly warm and comfortable home – surprising because of the amount of concrete that has been used inside.
“There’s a perception that concrete is cold and hard, but we think it’s the opposite. We’ve used a soft concrete that’s not obtrusive, and we’ve softened the home with warm timber and soft furnishings,” says Clara.
“The concrete absorbs the heat of the sun throughout the day too, making it a warm and cosy home which always surprises people.”
Homeowner Clara says: “There’s a perception that concrete is cold and hard, but we think it’s the opposite. We’ve used a soft concrete that’s not obtrusive, and we’ve softened the home with warm timber and soft furnishings”. Photo / Supplied
Six bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas and a direct line of sight from the kitchen bench to the kids splashing in the pool make it easy for a large family to live together. Photo / Supplied
A 16-metre skylight floods the downstairs living spaces with light, while sliding doors disappear into the walls to open the kitchen up to the outdoor entertainment area. Upstairs, vertical slats over the street-facing windows hide the home from the road while creating an almost-ethereal lighting effect inside.
“The lighting in the home is like a work of art – it’s its own character in the story of this home,” says Clara.
“The living spaces are always light and bright, and because the sliders can be opened right up there’s virtually no distinction between inside and out which makes living with a large family and entertaining so easy. Upstairs, the light filters into the bedrooms so beautifully, it’s really a whole other world up there.”
Six bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas, and a direct line of sight from the kitchen bench to the kids splashing in the pool make it easy for a large family to live together without feeling like they’re invading each other’s spaces.
“We had 11 people in the house for eight weeks last year and it didn’t feel like that many at all,” Clara says.
