Eco ethics meet city chic in Meadowbank

44a Rutherford Tce, Meadowbank, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

44A RUTHERFORD TCE MEADOWBANK

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SIZE: Land 432sqm, house220sqm.

PRICE INDICATION: Early interest has been in excess of $1 million. Auction on site July 31 at 1pm

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12.45-1.30pm.

ON THE WEB: harcourts.co.nz/RM110604

SCHOOL ZONES: St Thomas' School (Year 1-8), Selwyn College.

CONTACT: Lorraine Young, Harcourts, ph 021 764 032 or 520 8119.

FEATURES: New architecturally designed townhouse, laden with eco features, high-end specs and a seven-year Master Builder Guarantee. A private pathway gives direct access to Rutherford Reserve at the rear.

When designing and building two eco townhouses that comprise a small development project for himself and his wife, Lynne Pascall-Kamermans, architect Frans Kamermans admits they have enjoyed the luxury of being "our own clients".

"Of course, the architectural process is always enjoyable and fulfilling and clients often bring another angle to the thought process, but in this instance we were able to do everything the way we wanted it to be done," he says.

The couple intended to produce sophisticated eco-friendly homes, but without compromising Frans' own aesthetic tastes. "I believe it is important to design architecture that is contemporary ... houses like these are designed to reflect the ecological issues of our time, yet to be sophisticated and urban, and with not a hint of rusticity about them."

Reflecting this, 44A is resolutely urban in form and materials (a mixture of Linea weatherboard and concrete block) and stands discreetly yet confidently on its sunny site, with the clever positioning of windows to allow it to remain private from neighbours. A level garden separates the two townhouses, and although 44A is located nearer to the street, it has its own access to Rutherford Reserve at the rear.

The ground floor comprises a generously proportioned entry lobby, which leads into a spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining space. Winter sun pours through the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows on the north side warming this large, high-ceilinged space without the need for the heating to be turned on.

"This is what 'intelligent' design is all about," says Frans. "It is ... possible to produce houses that naturally heat and cool themselves, like this one does, by positioning cross ventilation at the highest point, and by calculating the angle of the roof line and the depth of the overhangs to control the amount of light and heat entering the building. The concrete floor acts as a passive solar heat store and the thermal-efficient low-e windows control the connection between the inward and outward temperatures. The underfloor heating would only kick in on the coldest of evenings, and yet the house will not overheat in summer, partly because the sun will not penetrate too deeply and because it can ventilate itself."

The kitchen is spacious and connects well with the adjacent dining areas inside and out. The attached living area is liberal in dimensions, while upstairs three of the four bedrooms are generous doubles. The master suite is located at the northerly rear of the building, separated from the rest by its walk-in storage and large en suite and with distant views of Rangitoto Island.

The en suite and another bathroom feature an amalgam of good design, high-end whiteware and invisible eco features.

High-quality appliances, recessed automated blinds and Cat 6 cabling are but a few of the extras in this highly specced home. Although Le Corbusier might have described architecturally designed homes such as this as "machines for modern living", Frans sees them as "dwellings which affect the senses. This way the inhabitants can be physically and spiritually comfortable".