Campbells Bay: Magical mystery tour

24 Channel View Road,Campbells Bay. 

A unique home in a bush setting is a perfect family hideaway. 

Since he burst on to the New Zealand architecture scene in the late 1960s, Ian Athfield has commanded attention: as much for the protests from neighbours objecting to his aesthetics as for his awards from the architectural community (sometimes for the same house). 

His own house in Wellington, famously still a work in progress, demonstrates his love of organic, highly personalised buildings. His fame spread quickly: this house in Campbells Bay, commissioned by the Cole family in 1975, is one of the few Athfield houses in Auckland, but had been long admired by current owners Greer and Jo Wilcox. 

"We were friends with the Coles, and our children were the same ages so played here often. We'd always loved the house so when it came back on the market eight years ago, we snapped it up," explains Jo. "We'd bought the house and moved in two weeks, it just felt so right." 

The property owners - since the Coles - had tamed the rambling bush site with stone and railway sleeper paths and walls, as well as boardwalks over the stream and through native plantings. They had added a swimming pool and decks, creating a magic bush property hidden from the world yet minutes from the beaches. 

The Wilcoxes lived in the house for several years and knew what this house needed to bring it up to date. A year-long renovation project has nipped and tucked this 1970s gem, without losing any of the Athfield delights. 

Walls of glass, sliding doors and bi-fold windows open the multi-level living spaces to the bush, lawns and sun-baked courtyards. 

Dark terracotta tiles, shag carpet and floors stained brown have given way to a lighter neutral palette of modern tiles and carpet (in the process allowing underfloor heating to be installed). Modern light and plumbing fittings take care of working comforts. 

Athfield stained-glass windows were retained but the light enhanced with further skylights, and the cedar joinery restored. 

Jo is delighted with the work of kitchen and bathroom designers: their cabinets of Tasmanian Ash have all the modern fittings, but look in keeping with vintage built-ins in the rest of the house. 

A favourite spot with children is the casual eating area a few steps below the kitchen, opening into the bush and bird-life. The couple were careful to retain the original jungle mural painted by an Elam arts student in the adjoining family room. 

The casual wing of the house is completed by a children's area imbued with a hobbit-like charm: curvy cave-like playrooms give way to sky-lit bedroom cubbies and a round bathroom, while spiral stairs lead to a large turret bedroom (or sitting room for the older teens). 

The adult wing of the house includes a formal lounge in three zones: a sitting area around the fire for winter nights, a sunny conservatory for evening drinks and a quiet library mezzanine. Upstairs the master suite consists of two double bedrooms, and Athfield's piece de resistance bathroom. 

One of his signature bottle towers has shower and vanity on the ground floor with a spiral staircase leading up to a claw-foot bath tub for soaking under the stars. Perfect on a moonlit night with a glass of wine, says Greer. 

They have added a further bathroom and kitchenette above the carport to create a self-contained studio. But with a holiday home and their original home in Campbells Bay beckoning, the couple are ready to part with their piece of architectural history so that the fifth lucky Auckland family can spread out in the bush. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 5* 

BATHROOMS: 4 

GARAGE: 5 

SIZE: Land area 4025sq m, house 300sq m plus studio.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected around $2.9 million.

INSPECT: By appointment. 

CONTACT: Damien Henaghan or Mark Mitchinson, Bayleys, ph 477 0200 bus, Damien 021 728 003, Mark 021 443 214. 

FEATURES: Ian Athfield designed house of plastered concrete and cedar shingles, in native bush with stream. Refurbished this year to the highest standards. Immaculately landscaped grounds with swimming pool, lawns and bush walks. Triple garage and workshop, with self-contained studio room above a twin carport. 

Plus studio