Jenny and Richard intended to significantly downsize from their two-storey family villa a decade ago but they set aside “significantly smaller” once they experienced the architectural impact of this home.
They’ve relished living in the two-storey, 363sqm contemporary home with three living areas and four bedrooms on 1328sqm.
Jenny says: “We thought it was amazing as soon as we saw it. It’s so full of clever architectural features.”
They’re the second owners of this 2007 predominantly weatherboard home, designed by Strachan Group Architects and zoned for double grammar.
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Jenny says: “We have fond memories of our villa, where we lived with our three children for a long time. But in winter with its windows closed and curtains drawn the curtains would still be billowing, so we were after something less draughty and a bit more modern and warmer.
“We still have high ceilings and a sense of space and airiness here, but with the advantage of being warm in winter.”
The architects designed the home to rise up, orientating away from Maungawhau’s slopes and gazing through tree canopies in the immediate neighbourhood, to suburban vistas beyond. Hence the most used expansive living areas are on the upper level, amongst the birds.
Richard says: “Sitting on the deck here in the sunshine it’s delightful, looking through the trees with the birds tweeting all around and tuis flying by.”
They’re quietly located in no-exit Castle Drive, off Mountain Road. The driveway leads to the cross-shaped home’s internal-access triple garage, accompanied by generous open-air parking.
“We thought it was amazing as soon as we saw it. It’s so full of clever architectural features,” says one of the homeowners. Photo / Supplied
The two-storey, 363sqm contemporary home has three living areas, four bedrooms, two bathrooms and parking for three cars on a 1328sqm section. Photo / Supplied
The double-height entrance, fronted by glass, is flanked by towering two-storey volcanic rocks walls. Photo / Supplied
The impressive double-height entrance, fronted by glass flanked by towering two-storey volcanic rocks walls (over concrete block), forms an arm of the cross. This cross-axis element of stone and glass cleaves the predominantly rectangular layout, providing access and circulation into the house and between floors.
The double-height foyer combing cedar panels, rock and glass is jaw-dropping. One floor up the “outdoor room” with wood-burning fire, dining and lounging area (with a powder room nearby) is inspired, if not literally outdoors.
But it can feel much like it, with its filtered light, tiled floor and sizeable gas-strutted timber shutters to open or close. It has glass on three sides, some in high windows, and light filters through sun-moderating timber roof slats, previously topped by Laserlite which these owners replaced with tinted double glazing for warmth.
Richard says: “You can sit in there with the wood fire going and look up at the stars.”
Wide cavity doors can disappear, uniting it with the north-facing kitchen-dining-living room. This flows out to a deck suspended within the cradle of steel legs which rise two storeys to support its roof canopy.
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “At its heart, a sculptural spine of stone and glass brings cohesion and calm, guiding movement and drawing light deep into the home.” Photo / Supplied
The double-height foyer combing cedar panels, rock and glass is jaw-dropping. Photo / Supplied
The ensuited master suite with walk-in wardrobe, which also incorporates an office, is on the other side of the outdoor room. Downstairs a family room opening to a northern patio, three bedrooms, a bathroom, toilet and laundry accompany the garage and foyer.
The home has suited entertaining, from small to larger scale. Its grounds favour natives, with lawn large enough to fit a marquee for Jenny’s fellow choir members in Auckland Choral to relax in while re-auditions are held indoors.
They’ve enjoyed living so close to Mt Eden, walking to Newmarket and having convenient motorway access. Auckland Grammar School is just six minutes’ walk away and Jenny has walked into Auckland Town Hall when she’s sung there.
Now their children have bought their own homes, the couple know it really is time to downsize.
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “At its heart, a sculptural spine of stone and glass brings cohesion and calm, guiding movement and drawing light deep into the home.”
- 5 Castle Drive in Epsom, Auckland, goes to auction on July 8
