KEY POINTS:
33 RAYMOND TERRACE, BIRKENHEAD.
When the North Shore was first opened up to suburban living in the 1960s and 1970s, it was a mecca for hot young architects and designers creating a truly New Zealand style of living. They attracted young families in their Holdens and Hillmans, moving away from the pre-war bungalows of the city.
Five years ago an architect and interior designer couple made the same move from inner city Herne Bay to a more generous property near the bush and beaches of the North Shore. When they spotted the two storied concrete plaster and cedar house tucked in a street of groovy 60s and 70s designs, they realised that a good architect had a hand in its creation. Built by a builder for his own family (with some later additions) this house turned out to be a classic from the early Ron Sang/Peter Mark Brown practice, one of cool modernism that has only gotten better with age.
"We recognised the design, with doors right to the ceiling, the careful symmetry of massing," says Belinda. "It had one wonderful built-in cabinet still left, with the original plaster and wood finishes."
She and husband Geoff were reluctant to tamper with the clean bones of the house, simply painting out a garish 90s colour scheme with cool white and adding simple, quality light and window fittings.
The outdoor room, 30 years ahead of today's trend, soaks up sun all day and, with its covered dining area, became the site for a family tradition of large Christmas gatherings.
The ground floor of the house revealed a surprising addition by the second owners: a hidden bar and rumpus room which was a much loved play space for the two small boys in the family, as well as home to their grandfather's memorabilia. Tucked behind it is a spa pool and sauna.
A sculptural staircase leads up to the main living floor - on one side is a sun-soaked living room, complete with a retro fire box and windows on all three sides to take in tree top views. On the other side of the landing is the kitchen and dining room and a cosy family room with a fireplace. Two double bedrooms, another single bedroom, the family bathroom and the master suite open off this room. From the deck here you can glimpse a view of the city, framed by the deciduous trees filling the neighbourhood.
"I've never walked so much as I have from this house," says Belinda. "My husband and boys go up to Sausalito and I walk through Kauri Glen, Le Roys Bush around Little Shoal Bay and up to the point - it's the best walk in Auckland. And I've been converted to the joys of a spa bath afterwards," she laughs.
The couple had initially planned to restore the kitchen and bathrooms (modernised in 2000) to a more mid-century look, but have grown accustomed to the masses of storage and easy care granite surfaces in the kitchen, and the heated tile floors in the bathrooms - luxuries unavailable to the original builder.
Belinda and Geoff are reluctantly selling the house to move even closer to the beach, hoping their classic home falls into another family of lovers of good New Zealand design.
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 5+
BATHROOMS: 2
GARAGES: 2
SIZE: Land 1072sq m, house 355sq m plus 65sq m of terraces.
PRICE INDICATION: Buyers in the mid-$700,000s should inspect. Auction July 11.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11-11.45am.
ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz ,451463
CONTACT: Nicola Whitley or Sue Mayhew, Bayleys, ph Nicola 021 280 5984, Sue 021 993 855.
SCHOOL ZONES: Northcote and Birkenhead primary schools, Willow Park Intermediate, Northcote College.
FEATURES: Classic Ron Sang/Peter Mark Brown house built in 1974 in plastered concrete and cedar. Extensive landscaping around a pool, bush views and glimpses of the city. Vintage bar/billiards room, sauna and spa-room.
