Creative Castle in Titirangi

56 Paturoa Road, Titirangi, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

56 PATUROA RD TITIRANGI

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SIZE: Land 3413sq m, house 244sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Buyer interest expected above CV of $810,000. Auction November 30.

INSPECT: Saturday 2.30-3.15pm.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/160308

SCHOOL ZONES: Titirangi and Green Bay primaries, Glen Eden and Green Bay intermediates, Green Bay High School.

CONTACT: Jeannette Young-Smith, ph 027 582 6640, Richard Cadness, ph 027 451 3364, Bayleys.

FEATURES: Waterfront home with views, built in the early 1970s for acclaimed potter Len Castle. Private and spacious, with extensive decking, solar-heated pool, spa, art studio/workshop and separate guest accommodation.

While this secluded and sunny Titirangi home is blessed with many attributes, it's made even more special by the fact it was built for one of New Zealand's most acclaimed potters, Len Castle, who died recently aged 86.

Castle's Japanese-inspired studio is still on the grounds of 56 Paturoa Rd and many of the home's original features have been retained and cherished.

Len and Ruth Castle and their family lived here between 1974 and 1984. "These 10 years were a highly productive time of his potting career," says Ruth Castle. "He extended his work with dry forms, ochre pigmentation, wire-cut and wax-resist decorations, and made large press-moulded discoid pots and blossom jars, and explored Shino and blue ash glazes."

During this time Len Castle travelled extensively. "But he always enjoyed returning home to the magnificent views of the Manukau Harbour, as reflected in his bowls titled Manukau Moods," says Ruth.

Yvonne Carter and Chris Due are the fourth owners of the home, which is still known as the Castle house, thanks to a sign at the driveway entrance. They've been here for nearly nine years, along with now young-adult children, Jonathan and Rebekah.

Yvonne says she had known of Castle, but hadn't realised this home had been built for him when she first came to view it. "We loved the view and its nice, warm feeling. There was something about it that captivated us," she says. The couple made sure the decision to buy was practical, too. "I have lived in Titirangi most of my life and in some areas the sun can be lacking," says Yvonne. "We came to see the house in the morning, at midday and in the late afternoon and brought a compass to see where north was," adds Chris.

Yvonne and Chris have a box of house plans and reports which they will pass on to the new owners. Although it is not known who exactly designed the house, the box includes a set of 1972 plans prepared by Wilson Moodie Gillespie & Partners, a firm of architects, engineers and valuers.

Typical of thoughtfully designed homes of its era and location, 56 Paturoa Rd features split-level living, with features such as soaring, steeply pitched ceilings, built-in window seats and a cosy, snug living area, off the main living space. There are also touches which are a legacy of Castle - a shelving unit in Yvonne and Chris' ground-floor "adults' retreat" which apparently was once used to display pottery; Castle's fondness for Japanese design is evident in the sunken dining pit in the main living area, which is currently covered by a sofa.

Yvonne and Chris have made sure improvements have been in keeping with the spirit of the house. They've carefully extended their adults' retreat and built a spacious en suite. Outside, they added a solar-heated kidney-shaped pool, complete with era-appropriate crazy paving and a rock garden. An existing carport was replaced with double garaging, with a pool house bathroom downstairs and a gym/guest accommodation area above.

As with many Titirangi homes, this property is quiet and private. Yvonne and Chris can park in the garage then walk a short path to the house, but visitors are directed to the side of the garage, to follow a charming path that meanders through the bush to the front door. The couple both work from home with media businesses. Their office is near the front door, as is a guest bedroom and en suite. The adults' retreat is also downstairs, while further bedrooms and a large bathroom are on the uppermost level.

Outside, extensive decking, a spa pool and outdoor fire look out to the spectacular view.