Freemans Bay: Double life

A home owner with adventurous tastes gave her architect free rein, writes Sandra Goodwin. 

4 Costley Street, Freemans Bay Angela Hull knows architect Daniel Marshall can walk on water. 

Anyone visiting her inspirational new Freemans Bay home can do the same, courtesy of stepping stones leading across a pond to the front door. You could also argue Daniel is a miracle worker, having designed a unique modern home that straddles its owner's two lifestyles as well as the two streets bordering the narrow, dog-legged, sloping site. 

After buying here four years ago, Angela soon sought to replace the nondescript house on the land with an ultra-modern, low-maintenance home capable of housing parties as bold as her taste in art. Now she has a high-tech in-built sound system and mirrored doors housing a fully-equipped bar. 

But what's reflected in the mirrored doors most nights of the week? Dinner for Angela's three young sons, who spend half their time with Mum. Daniel's design also had to function as a family home for Harry, 11, Louis, 9, and Marco, 7. 

Angela wanted a layout that offered her boys their own space. 

"I wanted me up here and the kids down there," she says with a naughty grin, waving towards the lower level devoted to her sons. 

That was one of few design directives she gave. Admiration for Daniel's previous work bolstered her confidence, and she had adventurous tastes despite being a first-time builder. 

"A lot of people might say 'I don't want to go that far', whereas I'd do anything," says Angela. 

Daniel salutes his client's openness to new ideas. 

He says: "There's a saying that clients get the houses they deserve, and in this case we presented something that was pretty unique. At first glance people might think it's a small house but once inside they discover more parts to it, making it lots of fun to explore." 

The eye-catching facade opposite Costley Reserve marks this house out as no shrinking violet. The exterior utilises Allucobond aluminium panels, offset by cedar battens and the zinc pod of the upper level. Vast glass windows showcase the staircase up to the dining room fronting the luminous main living area. Here a plethora of pleasures are reflected in the central, mirrored core that anchors the sleek dining room, kitchen and living room. Outside a heated in-ground pool and granite patio shimmer in a private walled area. Past the living areas are choices as contrasting as the largely black and white decor. The wow factor of a dome-shaped, black bathroom lined with tactile Pirelli rubber tiles is balanced by a serene stairway rising within the mirrored core. The journey skywards reveals the master bedroom suite, with balcony offering city views and a bathroom boasting a pastel-tiled bath. 

The lower of the three levels operates as a kids' zone with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a second living area (with home theatre) preceding a grassy yard. 

The remaining room on this level offers versatility through cavity sliders that open to extend the adjacent living area or close to form an office or fourth bedroom. The home shines with newness, but Angela is fuelled by the buzz of this project and is selling to move on to new ventures. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 3+ 

BATHROOMS: 3 

GARAGE: 3 

SIZE: Land 462sq m, house 220sq m. 

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $2million. 

INSPECT: Phone for inspection times. 

CONTACT: Karen Spires or Geoffrey McRae, Bayleys, ph 309 6020 bus, 027 273 8220 (Karen), 021 946 610 (Geoffrey). 

FEATURES: Brand new, leading-edge design by Daniel Marshall with two living areas, north-facing outdoor areas, in-ground heated pool and walled courtyard. Fully-integrated sound and temperature control system, home theatre, full bar. Opposite Costley Reserve. Views to city.