Coatesville: A concrete decision

Picture / Geoff Dale

A builder set on what he wanted has created an impressive home in the Coatesville countryside.

"I was determined I wanted a concrete house. It won't rot, it's strong and maintenance-free. Because we were building it ourselves, we were able to build exactly want we wanted. We didn't have any site constraints"

Commercial builder Robert Capon used the tricks of his trade when it came to building his architecturally-designed, family home on a lifestyle block in Coatesville.

After living in the rural North Auckland area for eight years, Robert and his wife, Anne, were after a new challenge. They had looked for four months for suitable land, so when a rare, flat, 1.8ha section was up for sale, they snatched it up within an hour of it being on the market.

Directly opposite the popular Coatesville School and nearby pony club, the land had plenty of potential. Robert knew what his new home was going to be like - it had to be concrete.

"I was determined I wanted a concrete house. It won't rot, it's strong and maintenance-free," explains Robert.

He even brought his work home with him when he built the five-bedroom property, using similar techniques to build it as he did to construct his factories - all the exterior walls were pre-cast concrete, made on site and lifted into place by a crane.

The technique was used in other areas of the luxury estate - the concrete infinity pool was pre-cast, and Robert reckons it's the only one of its kind in New Zealand. The outdoor fireplace was also pre-cast on site and cunningly used to extend the roof line.

"Because we were building it ourselves, we were able to build exactly want we wanted. We didn't have any site constraints. So instead of building two levels, which we could have done, we wanted to keep it on one level," says Robert.

He drew up a floorplan and then called in friend and architect Kris Unternahrer.

After constructing the three-car garage in September 2002, the couple and their daughters Amber, 10, and Alexis, 8, lived in the small, cottage-like building for 10 months while the main home was built.

The final addition has been the one-bedroom granny flat, which was intended to be used as accommodation for Anne's parents when they visited plus space for the girls when they hit their teens. Next to the granny flat is a two-car garage, making a total of five car parks for the property.

The look of the house is exactly as Anne and Robert desired - a clean look with simple lines and amazing indoor-outdoor flow. With a combination of polished concrete flooring, carpet and wood floorboards, the main feature of the executive home is the extensive bifold doors that invite the landscaped garden into the home.

From the driveway the house is spectacular - the front entrance has a moat-style water feature with water running down schist pillars into pools below. The aluminium door has the added bonus of a security key pad.

The entranceway leads straight ahead into the vast kitchen and living area or right to the bedroom wing.

The kitchen area is definitely the heart of the home - the clean lines and huge walk-in pantry make the area look spacious, but it's the concrete island bench that takes centre stage. Built from pre-cast concrete and West Coast pebbles, the 1-tonne table took two days to make on site then another three days of grinding and polishing to get the stunning finish. Seating eight, the island backs onto the bifolds that lead straight out to the outdoor fireplace. The vast concrete chimney has a schist rock front and is covered by the roofline, creating an all-weather entertaining area just a few steps away from the kitchen and a couple of metres from the fenced pool area.

For more formal living is the entertainment wing, leading to the left from the front entranceway. It has a magnificent dining room and lounge with a gas fire place and bifolds on both sides opening to a patio area by the front of the house, and the pool area and outdoor fireplace.

The bedroom wing flows from the front door down a corridor that includes a guest toilet and a fourth bedroom, which is used as a home office. The master bedroom features bifolds leading to a private patio area plus a stunning bedhead and book case combination designed by marine interior designer Katherine Allsop-Smith. Next to the bedhead is the walk-in wardrobe that links the bedroom to the double-shower bathroom.

Past the master bedroom are the girls' bedrooms - both with high studs, extra-large doors and bifolds leading to separate patios. The two bedrooms are connected by a bathroom with a shower, bath and sink area.

With views of the paddocks, the outdoor entertaining area leads to the pool, paddling pool and a water feature.

There is room for ponies but the girls have pet calves, while horses are grazed on the property. A separate entrance caters for stock.

Lined by trees for privacy, the house has a landscaped, low-maintenance garden. Working with landscape gardeners, Anne has created large pebble and native gardens at the front of the house, plus a simple lawn area.

The Capons are selling as they've bought more land in Coatesville - this time a sloping section. And yes, it'll be another pre-cast concrete home.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 9 Mahoenui Valley Rd, Coatesville.

FEATURES: Maintenance-free concrete house set on flat pasture; five bedrooms, three with their own private patio; three toilets; two bathrooms; formal dining and living areas, extensive kitchen and family room; five-car garaging, pool and outdoor fireplace; landscaped gardens; opposite Coatesville School and pony club. SIZE: 1.8ha.

AUCTION: 2pm, February 23. Similar lifestyle blocks in the area range in price from $1 million to $2 million.

AGENT: Tracey Free, Bayleys. Ph 417 0017 bus; 0274 803 334 mob.