What remained was the clever layout, which works as well now as it did 40 years ago. "It's such a great floor-plan," says Charlotte. "We'd use it again when we build." The north-facing living rooms soak up the sunshine, as well as a view of the Sky Tower and Rangitoto. With slate floors acting as heat sinks, Charlotte notes they've never needed a heater, "but we do like to light the fire at nights," she says.
Those distinctive gabled roofs highlight the two main living areas, linked by a sequence of more intimate spaces. At the eastern end of the house, the kitchen is off-set so it captures the view, with those gable windows bringing in light.
Before she went to medical school, Charlotte was a dietician, so an efficient kitchen was important. Out went the dated timber and brass fixtures, in came a sleek white and stainless steel fit-out, including an induction cooktop.
Textured white tiles, timber-topped breakfast bar and new cork floors reference the 70s vibe. "The cork is amazingly quiet and warm," notes Charlotte - especially important now pre-schooler Jasper has a baby sister, Josephine. The family room's only hangover from the 80s is the sparkling chandelier that reflects the swimming pool through the full wall of sliders. An almost-invisible glass balustrade lets in the summer breezes but keeps the kids safely contained.
A carpeted "sewing room" (or formal dining) and another living area step down to slate-floored spaces that open on to the sweeping new decks and down to the flat lawn. The master bedroom overlooks another casual living area, with a sunny window seat. Charlotte doesn't have much time for sitting around, but she does enjoy the refurbished master bathroom and massive walk-in wardrobe. Blue mosaic tiles in the nearby family bathroom are a colourful reference the 70s.
Under the upstairs gable are two more sunny bedrooms and another bathroom with a distinctive turret skylight. Above the 1980s double garage is a massive loft space with rural views, an alternative office to the entry-level study. There's also an out-building that could be converted for work or play.
Adam is particularly proud of the 300-plus native plants they've established, and sustainability features like the bio-cycle sewerage and eco-energy water systems.
"It's been a privilege to live here and appreciate such a distinguished architect," he says, "we'll be developing his ideas on our next building project."
