The personal home of celebrated modernist architect Ron Sang – best known for the Brake House in Titirangi – is up for grabs.
Sang designed the four-bedroom sanctuary at 58 Hapua Street in Remuera for his family in 1973. It was also built to accommodate his vast art collection as well as to connect with nature.
It incorporates Sang’s signature glass boxes, cantilevering into the trees, elements he later incorporated into the house design for renowned photographer Brian Brake. Both homes appear to float within the canopy.
Homeowner David Foreman was initially looking for a house in a double grammar zone and while Hapua Street ticked those boxes, what attracted the family most to the property was that they “saw it as a work of art”.
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The couple especially love the indoor/outdoor aspect of the home’s design and its zen-like spaces.
“My wife and I find it a really lovely space to live in. It has good feng shui and flow, and our daughter loves the pool. It’s just an easy place to be,” says David.
“It’s very relaxing and comfortable, with plenty of different spaces. I understand Ron was also a keen cook, so the kitchen is a great room to cook in – or simply spend time in.”
As with many of life’s best-laid intentions, their planned move to Auckland for their daughter’s schooling has shifted for the Coromandel couple, who have enjoyed the property extensively as a second home since purchasing it in 2021.
Homeowner David Foreman says the family saw 58 Hapua St “as a work of art”. Photo / Supplied
The Japanese-style gardens that wrap around the property include maple trees as well as native plantings. Photo / Supplied
This change presents an exciting opportunity for a new owner to secure a beautiful home and architectural marvel in one of the city’s most sought-after leafy suburbs.
The Japanese-style gardens that wrap around the property include maple trees as well as native plantings.
“It does have a Titirangi feeling about it,” says David. “It’s hard to believe you’re so close to the centre of Auckland city. It’s a very quiet neighbourhood and the people here encourage the native birds, so you have morepork (ruru) and tui here.”
Other distinctive features of the Sang House include its 5m front door, reflecting Sang’s penchant for big entryways that signal the importance of a home’s threshold and welcoming good energy into the home.
“The home is also great for hanging art as there’s lots of wall space. Sang was a great art collector,” says David.
Ron Sang’s signature glass boxes, cantilevering into the trees, appear to float within the canopy. Photo / Supplied
The mosaic swimming pool and spa was designed by Ted Smyth, a frequent collaborator of Sang. Photo / Supplied
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has three upstairs bedrooms including a master with ensuite and separate bathroom. Downstairs the rumpus room has been converted into a fourth bedroom which opens out to the mosaic swimming pool and spa designed by Ted Smyth (a frequent collaborator of Sang).
Little has needed changing since the couple bought the home. They repainted the black ceilings back to white to open up the space and have replaced the garage door.
“It’s remarkable to think that such an iconic home, in central Remuera, designed by one of New Zealand’s most accomplished architects, can be purchased in the $3 millions,” says Steve Koerber, of Bayleys.
“It’s clearly an opportune time to buy what is surely a work of art.”
- 58 Hapua St in Remuera, Auckland, is for sale for $3.895m
