SCHOOL ZONES:
Waitakere College, Henderson Valley School
CONTACT:
Tom Hendriks, Ray White, ph 021 644 469
FEATURES:
*Plus sleepout
In 1949, Cyril Roy Knight built what was then -- and still is -- a chic and modern home on a sprawling, leafy 3769sq m site near the Waitakere Ranges. The relatively simple black house, with its contrasting white shutters, was a far cry from the European Beaux-Art style whichthe Australian-born architect had studied in depth.
The house certainly wasn't constructed on an especially grand scale, and nor did it feature the rich ornamentation of French and Italian design movements which characterised Knight's churches and commercial buildings.
The first Dean of the Auckland University College School of Architecture had found it necessary to adapt his classic-based training to the unique New Zealand context and environment, especially in terms of residential design, and it wasn't long before he developed a strong interest in modernism. With this property, he hit the jackpot. The fact that it has barely dated to this day pays homage to his skills and imagination.
Only two other sets of owners have enjoyed the property between Cyril's tenure and that of current vendors Rebekah Holt and Jonathan Brough, who are in the entertainment industry.
It's the type of place where you feel compelled to put down roots, especially if you have young children who will enjoy the freedom of roaming on expansive grounds amid native bush and birdlife, just beyond the border of the city.
"Our son Francis was 2 when we moved here," Rebekah says. "He practically grew up in this gorgeous environment and we also had lots of nieces and nephews who used to come and go regularly!"
Knight made good use of native timbers: rimu and kauri, in a way that firmly connects the dwelling to its surroundings. The front entrance or vestibule enjoys a stunning parquet floor, complemented by an elegant half wall in stone.
To its left is the front bedroom, used most recently by Francis, and in a circular pattern comes the middle bedroom followed by the master suite, beside which lies the bathroom.
Though they weren't keen to make major structural changes, the couple did add French doors leading to the garden from their room. "The outlook was so lovely it seemed silly not to," Rebekah says.
The bathroom dates from the 1980s (she thinks) and although it's attractive and serviceable, Jonathan and Rebekah had plans for an update, along with the kitchen, which is fairly original -- but charming with it.
The main living space, which consists of living room, dining space and sunroom, is undoubtedly the heart of the house. "It's clean and simple and you can open it all up really easily so it's just ideal for a spontaneous disco," says Rebekah. "We've painted, re-lined, gibbed and insulated the house but apart from that we've let it be. It's really an organic sort of place and we are very keen to see another family come in and keep it alive."
