SCHOOL ZONES:
Chelsea Primary School, Northcote College.
CONTACT:
Nicole Schaaf, 021 554 811, and Peter Jones, 021 233 0055, Harcourts.
AUCTION:
February 22.
The sweeping entrance into Bennet Kim's property is the first clue to the functional curves that run right through this home. This dramatic facade that fronts the driveway is easy to swing into by car, to where the timber and glass portico sets the tone for everything beyond the front door.
Located down what neighbours here call "The Red Road" at the end of the cul-de-sac, this entrance adds what Bennet describes as "a hotel kind of a feeling" to the place.
It is also a world away from apartment living in South Korea, where his family moved from in late 1994 to give Bennet's severely disabled younger brother Joseph a better life. And this is how curves that have created such relaxed traffic flow within this home have come into being.
Bennet's father had this house built specifically around Joseph's needs with wheelchair manoeuvrability and maximum family interaction as the priorities. "This house was his world. It was built for Joseph's needs. My father made sure that this house gave as much comfort as it could for him. It was convenient for him. That was the idea of it," says Bennet.
It served the Kim family well from late 1997 until five years ago when Joseph passed away at the age of 21. Last year Bennet, a criminology graduate, took over ownership of the house when his parents moved back to South Korea.
The scale of this house, which he has appreciated most, has delivered double helpings of the important family-sized lifestyle features. The front door opens directly into a small tiled lobby and then into the double-height, open plan living and dining area with its timber flooring.
Image 1 of 8: This Chatswood home has double helpings of family-sized lifestyle features. Photos / David Rowland, Getty Images
The kitchen that is part of this area is defined as much by the lowered ceiling height as for the dark granite benches and deep green high gloss cabinetry with timber detailing. Every workstation here is just a few steps away from the next one.
Looking towards the glass-walled TV lounge, the curved bar with sink and upstand, adjoining bench and casual dining area is also the interface between the main kitchen and the more formal dining table by the deck. Nearby, a second curved bar with timber cladding is the appropriately elegant connection with the formal living area and fireplace.
Beyond the kitchen, discreet sliding doors lead to the bedroom and utility wing which includes the large wheelchair-accessible bathroom, laundry, two standard bedrooms and the deck-side master bedroom with en suite at the end. There is also internal access from the single garage into the hallway by the kitchen. The double garage is located on the opposite side of the house.
Above that double garage there is a lounge/gym with a door out to the deck. Further along the carpeted landing there are two bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The entire outlook takes in part of the Chelsea Estate heritage park with mature trees right up to the glass balustrades of the deck. Two specimens had already staked their legal claim for protection when this house was being built and, accordingly, the decking was laid around their trunks.
Bennet has now set his sights on a small home better suited to his own needs, having lived a little of the Kiwi family experience in this big house by the bush.
