Te Atatu Peninsula: A simple plan

A Korean immigrant spent months working on plans for his family home, writes Catherine Smith.

24 Danica Esplanade, Te Atatu Peninsula.

Te Atatu Peninsula is one of the west's charming secrets: an easy off-peak drive of 15 minutes from the city centre, surrounded by water on three sides and with 270-degree views. Houses on Danica Esplanade capture views of Auckland and North Shore, the Sky Tower, the bridge and Rangitoto in the background. With local schools, waterfront pathways and an attractive local shopping centre, it has the ease of small town living, with the convenience of big city shopping.

When James Lee planned a home for his family here in 2002, he was determined to capture both the breathtaking views and the easy outdoor living of his adopted country. A chemical engineer in his native Korea, James had been bitten by the building bug when he supervised the construction of the family's first apartment. Now in Auckland, he became obsessed with designing a Kiwi house. After months of homework at trade and home shows, six months of back and forth with the designer and more than a year's building, the family finally moved in at the end of 2003.

"I travelled a lot, and wanted the house to have the quality and luxury of some of the best hotels I stayed in," says James. "But I also wanted a smart house, with the latest and best products so it would function well."

It is little wonder the house won a gold award in the 2004 Master Builders Awards. The finishing details on the three-storeyed house are obvious to a visitor: the solid rimu trims and joinery, rimu cabinetry in the kitchen and study, Swarovski crystal chandelier in the dining room and fine granite floors and benchtops, with immaculately planned storage everywhere.

But the hidden details make this house livable, easy-care and low on energy usage. The walls and floors are insulated, the windows double glazed, and there is ducted central heating and cooling. Windows and doors even have disappearing glide-down insect screens for buggy Auckland nights. There is a completely automated electrical system for lights, sound and security, managed by simple switches in every room.

The kitchen is at the hub of the house. It has sweeping views back to the city, and leads into the rear family room and out into a fully landscaped rear courtyard. In the courtyard, details include a pebble mosaic, designed to offer traditional Korean foot massage - delicious! Kiwi tastes are taken care of with a spa pool in its own cedar gazebo, a bubbling fountain and plenty of room for a barbecue and the kids.

Also opening onto this courtyard is the master bedroom suite, with careful placement of a window so the occupants can lie in bed and look through a neighbouring park to the sea.

The upper floor has three large double bedrooms - two with sea views - and bathrooms, while a fifth bedroom is part of a self-contained guest suite on the ground floor. With its own entrance, beautifully hedged courtyard and sea views it would make a perfect granny or kids-back-home space.

But the Lee children have finished tertiary study and are scattered around the world, leaving just young grandson Eliot at home. James and his wife are now planning a smaller empty-nest home.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3+

GARAGE: 2+

SIZE: Land 649sq m, house 389sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected between $1.5 million and $2 million. Auction February 25.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun noon-1pm.

CONTACT: Nicole Hou, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 834-3570

bus, 021 628 658.

FEATURES: Nearly new brick and tile house with formal living, dining, separate family room, rimu kitchen and study. Central heating and cooling, double glazing and smart electronics. Decks with views to the city and shore, enclosed low-maintenance barbecue area with spa, gazebo and fountain.