Doing it the Wright way

By VICKI HOLDER

In the style of one of America's most celebrated architects, this show-piece property is the result of hours of sweat and toil.

Inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this timeless cliff-top home in St Marys Bay, Auckland, owes much to one of America's most celebrated designers.

Rebuilt seven years ago from a bungalow consisting of two flats, the property is a prime example of Wright's visionary principles, where every minor detail contributes to a harmonious whole.

The owner, Steve Chilham, was flicking through a book on Frank Lloyd Wright in a museum bookshop. Even though Lloyd Wright died in 1959 after a career spanning seven decades, his enduring ideas appealed to Steve. He was particularly impressed with Lloyd Wright's May House in Michigan.

Steve felt that he'd moved on from the glass and timber home he'd just completed. "It was very 90s," he said, "a fashion house. I wanted to build something timeless in the style of a Californian bungalow by Frank Lloyd Wright.

"I liked the warmth, the modern open-plan aspect and the homely feel he created, even in his big houses, as well as the extensive use of wood and the colours he chose. It seemed like a great style to aim for."

Bit by bit and working for thousands of hours, Steve rebuilt the whole house, although its outward appearance is much the same. Instead of copying, Steve tried to get inside Lloyd Wright's head and work out solutions like the architect would have done had he been handed this great waterfront site.

Doing most of the work himself, Steve employed a master tradesman to help with the tricky bits and the big construction jobs.

Like the May House, the Chilham house draws you from a small hallway and releases you into the expansive open living area. The vibrant geometric-patterned leadlights in the entry door are replicated from the May House design, and the same patterns are repeated throughout the house in other windows and lights.

The walls in the living area, with deep timber skirtings and cornices, are painted a buttery yellow and inset with timber inserts. The living area is divided in two by a floating wall with a fireplace, which creates a dining and sitting space. Opting to keep the big picture windows means that those working in the kitchen to the rear can see straight through to the view of Westhaven below.

Steve says the layout works well. If you're in the kitchen you can talk to people in the dining area or the lounge, but as you look back from the living area you're not conscious of clutter.

The African rosewood kitchen cabinetry is an intense contrast to the shiny stainless-steel appliances. Steve built leadlight ceiling cabinets instead of skylights in the kitchen, which let the light shine through them.

Meanwhile, he built the box seats in the bay window and the fitted tables that sit between the sofas in the lounge. Making and fitting the little timber spindles was a huge and time-consuming project that almost drove him mad.

Again, he built all the cabinets and furniture in the three bathrooms and the bedrooms. The two bedrooms on the top floor include the master, which has a walk-in dressing room. The other two bedrooms are on the lower level.

A comfortable lounge with fitted seating nestles between the bedrooms, and a second kitchen sits at the back. The bedrooms open to a porch with deep cedar eaves where you can sit all year round.

The garden has been landscaped to take advantage of the spectacular site. Like Lloyd Wright, Steve has channelled the views from the house to the garden, where the plants weave around platforms and courtyards.

This architectural showpiece provides an uplifting backdrop to everyday life.

Vital statistics

Address: 12 Amiria St, St Marys Bay.

Features: Two-storey Californian bungalow redesigned in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright; harbour views; two separate living arrangements that work as one, each opening to balconies and porch; built-in crafted furniture; four bedrooms; three bathrooms; two kitchens; office; internal-access garage.

Size: Land area 700 sq m (approx), floor area 4000 sq ft (approx).

Auction: At 2 pm on Wednesday, March 6, at Bayleys Viaduct Harbour Avenue auction rooms.

Agent: Geoffrey McRae, Bayleys Real Estate. Ph: 309 6020 bus; 021 946 610 mob.