After decades involved in the development of high-rise office buildings, apartments and malls Phil Eaton channelled his knowledge into building his own home on a site involving a sky-high challenge.
He says: "I think the 25 years I've had in property came to the fore because I knew how to set up the project and how to have a little bit of fun along the way."
Integral to the build would be figuring out how to proceed given that the branches of a protected Norfolk Pine from a neighbouring property hung over part of the nice flat section he'd bought.
Phil says: "It's part of a network of Norfolk Pines up and down the Pt Chev peninsula. Boats used to use them for navigation back in the days before GPS, so it has cultural significance."
Arborist Stacy Colyer of Greenscene, Phil and a planner devised a strategy to protect the tree's roots by hand-digging foundations under it.
"We drank a lot of craft beer while trying to solve the tree issue, which probably made the design process a little longer but was certainly enjoyable."
Phil, who respects the pine's heritage as a boating enthusiast, likes the way the home's exterior lights illuminate it at night.
He devised the home's basic floor plan himself, handing it to architect Scott Hunter from Assemble to add flair and detail.
The resulting two-storey home completed by Jennian Homes in September 2015 won bronze in the Auckland/Northland Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.
Phil says: "It's a little cathedral-like from the outside. The inside feels really warm and light because of having so much glazing, designed to capture as much sun as possible."
The home is down a driveway softened by native Oi Oi, behind another property opposite Walker Park.
Fencing and karaka lend privacy to grounds integrating a sun-drenched front deck plus ancillary decks and level lawn.
The internal-access double garage with laundry is fronted by aggregate covered off-street parking, allowing any spiny leaves shed from the pine to break down easily.
The contemporary home's boldy contrasting exterior teams dark cedar and cemintal cavity panels. It's zesty yellow front door has the option of keyless entry.
16A Walker Road, Pt Chevalier. Photo / Supplied
The architect involved in House of the Year judging complimented the functional and flexible flow of the home.
A long living-dining-kitchen expanse opening to two decks has oak flooring and a gas fireplace.
A flexible room off it is able to be fourth bedroom, study or second living-media room, with a bathroom nearby. High gloss black cabinetry, black sinks and a black tap pop against white benches in the kitchen with scullery.
A trio of Tauranga designer Mat McMillian's iO drum pendant lights adorn the stairwell. Upper level ceilings mirror the roofline, peaking at more than 3.3-metres.
Both bedrooms flanking the family bathroom are spacious but the master bedroom with en suite, walk-through and additional wardrobing also gets a stellar northwesterly view across the park to the sea.
Phil has found the location brilliant, including the ability to launch an inflatable dinghy from the end of the road. However, he's looking at another building project in Kingsland.
