Life without boundaries in Remuera

38 Lochiel Rd, Remuera, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

38 LOCHIEL RD REMUERA

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SIZE: Land 680sq m, house 330sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above CV (2008) of $1.9 million. Sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.40pm.

ON THE WEB: rwremuera.co.nz/RMU20540

SCHOOL ZONES: Remuera School, Remuera Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls' Grammar.

CONTACT: Heather Walton, Ray White Remuera, ph 520 7663 or 021 432 167.

FEATURES: Contemporary Hebel home incorporating multi-use open-plan living, designer kitchen, eco-friendly principles, smart technology and sophisticated master suite. Fenced grounds with jet-stream pool and lawn plus internal-access double garage.

A desire for sociable family living inspired a grandly proportioned open-plan living spread in this cutting-edge eco-friendly home.

Visitors are welcomed into the impressive multi-functional living expanse, which combines a lounge/entertainment and dining areas with a designer kitchen, an office area, and a more informal seating section. Owner Fabian explains: "I don't like houses with a lot of walls and everything divided up into little rooms. When we planned this area I liked the idea that the whole family could still interact and be together whatever they were doing."

Its versatile living space is just one aspect of this one-and-a-half-year-old home which is rich with technology, design details, innovative materials and eco-friendly touches.

Fabian and wife Lena bought the property on the corner of Lochiel Rd and Green Lane East Rd in 2007, and removed a tired bungalow. They enlisted Michael Sin of BJA Architects to help them design a cutting-edge family home to share with their daughter Mia, who is now three.

Fabian had a lot of input into the process. His European background steered them towards using sophisticated materials such as Hebel block in the construction. The lightweight, aerated concrete blocks have great insulation and noise-resistance qualities. His background in IT also ensured technology was utilised well. The Kristil home automation system includes intelligent lighting, the security system, a multi-zone audio and video system and more. Much of the technology is easily operated through a four-button remote.

The property is fully fenced, with off-street parking outside the internal-access double garage. An electronically controlled pedestrian gate prefaces the striking front door, which incorporates LED lights for decorative effect and opens via a card reader.

Entry is into the lounge-entertainment area of the ground-floor living expanse, which is tiled in a chequerboard pattern.

The double-height ceiling incorporates high automated windows. A feature staircase of floating wooden stairs leads to the upper level, while the change in level down to the rest of the open-plan living area is marked by a couple of steps incorporating LED lights.

Polished concrete floors grace the dining area, the informal seating area and the kitchen, with doors opening on to the exterior. The Leicht designer kitchen makes an impact with its bright orange floating ceiling with cove lighting, which matches another floating ceiling above the dining table.

An LCD TV projects off a stone-sheathed kitchen support pillar, which matches larger pillars further back in the living area. A triangular bench with bar seating angling off the main kitchen bench is underlit by coloured lights which shine up through glass insets in the GRC (glass reinforced concrete) benchtop.

Other benchtops are stainless steel and special touches include a flexible orange designer tap, a wine fridge bolstering the integrated double fridge-freezer, hot and cold filtered water and a Bosch multi-use appliance system integrated into the benchtop.

The open-plan spread also includes an office near the kitchen. "The openness is great," says Fabian. "It's a really versatile space and it's lovely being able to see and talk to other family members, even if we're all doing something different."

The home has been designed to be eco-friendly, delivering efficiencies in heating and cooling. Double glazing and the Hebel blocks' noise-resistant qualities ensure peacefulness in this handy central location. A double-height void on the north-facing side of the home cleverly incorporates a ceiling fan to distribute heat along the hallway outside the upstairs bedrooms.

The north-facing fenced grounds contain a compact heated pool with swim jets. There is also a good stretch of level lawn for children to play on, an outdoor seating area plus a vegetable garden, which is concealed around the eastern side of the home.

This level includes a separate laundry, two bedrooms with bamboo floors, wardrobe doors accented with coloured glass and a sleek bathroom featuring benches made of GRC.

Upstairs, the master bedroom again incorporates the open-plan principles Fabian admires.

Instead of a wall, a change in level delineates between the roomy bedroom area and its bathroom. Thus the streamlined sunken bath becomes a striking feature of the suite, which also includes a sleek walk-in wardrobe.

The two other bedrooms on this level both have en suite access to the immaculate bathroom they flank.

The family is selling because they are relocating to China for business.