Herne Bay: Modern masterpiece

Going from a character home to a modern house has been a refreshing change.

19b Masons Avenue, Herne Bay.

Karen and Stephen Pearson renovated a grand old bungalow before moving to this modernist masterpiece, and are now converts to the pleasure of new houses.

``No matter how much work you do on an old place, you can never get it quite draft-proof or perfectly straight,'' smiles Karen. ``This house isn't even low-maintenance, it's almost no maintenance. You just waterblast it once a year.''

Constructed from concrete, steel and aluminium joinery, this elegant work of art was designed by David Howell. Now based in New York, Howell drew inspiration from the Case Study houses in California built in the mid-20th century. He designed it for art gallery-owner Gary Langsford seven years ago, incorporating large expanses of white wall soaring up to 3.6m in height.

``We are also passionate about art,'' says Karen, ``So that was one reason we were drawn to the house. Another was the easy access to its outdoor spaces - our bungalow was on a sloping site that didn't work for our two children, who were 4 at the time.''

When asked what they've enjoyed about living in this house over the past five years, young Joachim and Natalia immediately list the pool, the trampoline (dug in to lie flush with the yard) and the playground, all of which will stay with the property. With a child's ability at summing up, Joachim also likes that the house is ``big''.

It's elevated position on a north-facing site increases its sense of space. Floor to ceiling glass draws in every ray of winter sun, while deep eaves provide shade in the summer.

The view reaches 180 degrees past surrounding rooftops and treetops to the Harbour Bridge and the Sky Tower. ``I love how this house is always light, even on the greyest days,'' says Karen. ``You can watch the rain coming down in sheets, but instead of the house feeling smaller you just think `Look at that amazing weather.'''

The kitchen and family room lead into a dining room added on by Karen and Stephen, which in turn leads to an outside terrace with an open fire overlooking the pool. The dining room's doors can be slid right back to make it a covered outdoor room.

Around the corner from the dining room is an internal lounge, heated by another open fire. It's in here that you most notice the patterned acoustic tiles that line the ceilings of all the living spaces.

``We put them in after we moved in and found the sound bounced around so much you had to be looking at the person talking to make out what they were saying,'' says Karen.

The tiles add another modernist edge to the house, and happen to go perfectly with the blonded maple flooring.
``The floor was an overrun from a basketball court being built in Taupo. It's incredibly tough.''

A 2m wide hallway leads to the two children's bedrooms, two bathrooms and the master bedroom. All the bedrooms open onto a balcony that runs along the outside of the house looking out to the view.

``There are beautiful mature trees on properties all around us that we can enjoy looking at - pohutukawa, titoki, cabbage trees and oaks that turn bright red in autumn.''

Karen says they also attract many birds, including tui, which can be easily heard as little traffic noise penetrates this enclave.

The property's own garden requires little work, as the previous owner wanted one in hot, Californian style to match the house. It consists of agaves, yuccas and aloe bainsii, which add a sculptural quality to the exterior.

Downstairs is a space that would be ideal for a live-in nanny, teenager or extended family member. Doors can be closed to separate an area consisting of a bedroom, bathroom, and living area that opens to the lawn.

A kitchenette currently in storage could be plumbed and wired back into place. A driveway from Saratoga Avenue leads to another garage under the lawn, so this space even has its own entrance.

There is also another large room downstairs that could be an office, music room, play room or gym.

Karen and Stephen are torn about leaving this house, but a combination of factors are pushing them on - they are spending more time overseas; as the children get into organised sport they're finding they don't need so much outdoor space; and they've found another special house in which they'd like to spend the next phase of their lives.

``I'll miss my neighbours, even though we'll still be in the neighbourhood,'' says Karen. ``There's a really nice community among the four homes down this driveway. And it's so quiet - it's amazing to think we're only five minutes from the centre of the city.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3+

GARAGES: 3+

SIZE: Land 1120sq m, house 371sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $4 million-$5 million. Expressions of interest close July 19.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/42962

CONTACT: Karen Spires or Patrick McCarthy, Bayleys, ph 027 273 8220 (Karen), 027 233 3988 (Patrick).

FEATURES: David Howell-designed house with 180-degree views including the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower. Three living areas, self-contained flat downstairs with its own garage and entry. Central heating, open fires in lounge and outdoor dining area. Heated pool, California-style garden, lawn with playground and in-ground trampoline. One-minute walk to Bayfield School.