KEY POINTS:
An architect replaced a cottage with a modern home with offices.
108 Park Road, Grafton.
Jason Bailey knows pretty well the lie of the land on which his two-year-old home and office building sits. He used to live in an old cottage there, which was also home to his business, Bailey Architects.
It's fair to say that now he's got a lot more space since the cottage was retired and its replacement built. Although the wedge-shaped site is a compact 255sq m, Jason's design skills have seen him create 343sq m of floor space, plus decks. There's now even a bit of low-maintenance lawn and outdoor living area, too, tucked into the apex of the section.
Built from concrete, steel, glass and timber, the building has a strong presence on the brow of the hill that leads down to Newmarket, but inside it's extremely flexible in the way spaces can be used. Jason has designed the building so that it could be easily converted into an all-residential building, or all-business or left as the best of both.
Currently, Jason's practice takes up rooms at the front of the building, on the more public street side. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is to the rear, as well as a double garage at basement level. The home and office sections of the building are linked by a central staircase, which has alternating access to the front and rear parts of the building at each landing. This staggered approach allows privacy between the existing home and office set-up, while swipe cards provide security.
Inside the front door, a room to the right is set up as a boardroom, complete with a kitchen. Down the stairs, there's a bathroom and access to the double garage, laundry and utility room. The garage has plenty of storage space and there's a window to let in natural light.
The current office space is spread over two levels above the boardroom. These light and airy rooms could easily be converted to bedrooms, perhaps with the addition of some window dressings for privacy. Stacked above them is a roof deck, which has plenty of space for a table and barbecue. "It's a real Auckland view from here," Jason says. You can see Auckland Grammar to your left and around to Newmarket, while the Domain is to the right.
Jason's apartment is spacious and private. The living area has a fireplace and access to the garden, while the kitchen is a great spot for morning sun. There is provision for a further set of stairs to be built here if future owners wanted to separate the building's functions completely.
The next level up has the master suite, with a mosaic-tiled en suite, an open plan and light-filled wardrobe area that's large enough for a day bed, and the bedroom itself. While the bedroom is private, externally mounted louvres provide added seclusion at night. In summer, Jason opens up glass sliding doors so that the room is encased by the louvres. "It's a bit like sleeping on a deck," he says.
Upstairs are two further bedrooms, one of which opens on to a deck, and a bathroom. In line with the flexible approach employed in the design, a new owner could easily transform all three apartment bedrooms into offices. Jason has employed a restrained palette of off-white, charcoal and timber inside, so no room screams boudoir or bulletin board.
The architect owner is moving because he's on the lookout for a new design and build project. "I loved the whole process and can't wait to do it again".
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 5
BATHROOMS: 3
GARAGES: 2
SIZE: Land 255sq m, building 343sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: $2.35 million.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.30pm.
ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz364544
SCHOOL ZONES: Newmarket Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar.
CONTACT: Liz Derbyshire or Gillian Brodie, Barfoot & Thompson, 307 6340 bus, Liz 021 661 978, Gillian 021 906 811.
FEATURES: Award-winning home and offices designed by its architect owner. Two kitchens, roof deck with 360 degree views, outdoor living space. Two additional off-street carparks with potential to lease more. Zoned 7b.
