Architectural wander

The private residence of a man who built many of Auckland's great public buildings is being shared with the public, writes Edward Rooney.

A house designed and lived in by Auckland's first appointed city architect will be opened for viewing next month as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival.

Donner House in Titirangi was built in the late 1940s by Tibor Karl Donner, chief architect to the Auckland City Council between 1946 and 1967.

Donner designed the Auckland Council's Civic Administration building in Greys Ave where the Super City is governed from today, the Ellen Melville Hall in High St, and the Parnell and Pt Erin swimming baths. Donner also designed Watkins Bequest in the Domain, as well as a wonderful pond marking Auckland's 100th year.

Prize money from his winning design for the Savage Memorial on Bastion Pt allowed him to purchase the site in Titirangi.

Present owner Paul Jenkin, who has restored Donner House to its former glory, is pleased to offer the viewing as part of Heritage Week.

"It's great that the house and studio have now been given heritage listing and have been supported by the former Waitakere City Council, the Auckland Regional Council and the Historic Places Trust ... and now the public are invited to see the house as it nears full restoration."

Funding was granted last year for the restoration process of both buildings from the Waitakere Heritage Fund and from the former ARC's Environmental Initiative Fund.

Donner House - with its distinctive curved facade and a flat roof you can walk on, offering panoramic views of a distant Auckland city - will be open to the public for three consecutive weekends, from September 17-18, 24-25 and October 1-2.

Jenkin says: "This is an Auckland icon, not specifically a Westie one.

"It's one of the more complete modern movement houses in the country. Visit the village and take the 10-minute walk to the house, or drive and park near by.

"Come and get some mountain air with your 'modernist' heritage fix."

Open all ours

Groups will be limited to 20 people  an hour, and each group will have an hour only to take it all in. Each group will leave on the hour, so choose a preferred time, and bookings are by  gmail only. Entry is $15  an adult, with children under 12 free. All proceeds go towards further restoration of the buildings and grounds.

Times: Hourly from 10am to 4pm. Bookings: pauljnkin@gmail.com