Masterpiece of 70s design exudes Zen-like calm

Fashion stylist Ana McDonald and creative Marcus Ringrose felt an instant affinity for the architecture of their 1971 modernist house when they bought it in late 2001.

The design did not appeal to everyone, but Ana and Marcus were drawn over the bridge by an article in the New Zealand Herald.

"When we walked through the open houses we could hear people talking about bowling this and opening up that and changing the kitchen," says Ana. "We thought it was just perfect as it was."

Tucked into kauri bush, the concrete block and cedar house exudes Zen-like calm. It still features the original stained beams and woodwork, immaculately crafted built-in shelves and even the Yunca woodburner.

From the garden entrance, the Japanese-style door opens directly into the open-plan living room. Here Marcus and Ana have replaced heavy velvet curtains with slim blinds and added a deep-coloured feature wall. An office opens off the living room.

Their only changes have been to modernise the family bathroom adjoining the two double bedrooms tucked at the back of the house - the master en suite still boasts its original cabinets - and replace old peeling parquet floors with engineered bleached oak.

The galley kitchen is in superb order, complete with stained wood joinery, original stainless steel benches and a generous laundry/storage area to one side. Open shelves and a breakfast bar link it to the family room.

The master bedroom has sunlight on both sides, sliding doors opening it to a Japanese courtyard on one side and windows to the bush on the other. Off the master bedroom is James' art studio.

Outside, sunny lawns are linked by bush paths, home to kauri, ponga and masses of birdlife. Work is taking Ana and Marcus back over the bridge, leaving this masterpiece of 70s design to only the third owners in nearly 40 years.

126 Park Hill Rd, Birkenhead Sold for $686,000.