Remuera: The glass house

Photo / Geoff Dale

Estelle Sarney boards a modern ship-like home that captures every ray of midwinter sun.

24 Waimea Lane, Remuera.

A cruise ship has come to rest by Waiata Reserve in Remuera. It's long and white, you can observe the view as you walk its entire length, and keep watch out both sides when you stand in the middle of the lounge or the master bedroom.

Well, a ship is what this brand new house feels like - the breathtaking result of the latest collaboration between designer Simon Pirie and builder John Rosenbrand. The double height glass wall along its eastern side allows the midwinter sun to set the white limestone interior ablaze with light and warmth. The glass also brings close the tall trees of the reserve, in all their belated autumn finery.

When John and Simon first saw the 726sq m site they knew it had what developers look for - location, a north facing aspect and far enough away from the neighbours to enable them to go up. The outlook provided by the neighbouring park was a bonus. The section dipped in the middle, but they turned this into a plus by digging a bit deeper and creating a home theatre under the house.

After removing the old bungalow that was on the site, Simon set to work designing something even more modern than he would normally attempt. He, John and John's business partner Greg Rassie have worked together on many projects over about 15 years through their respective companies, Cook, Sargisson and Pirie, and Premier Landscape Developments.

"Having that good working relationship does help on big jobs like this, especially when they start getting complicated," says Simon.

The complications with this house came in its simplicity. Floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors look great, but leave no room for error.

"There were no scotias or skirting boards to cover up any imperfections," grins John, "and we kept having to re-plumb the house as the timber framing moved with the weather and settled under its own weight. We couldn't have all the sliding doors sticking."

The fact that the doors, and everything else in the house, work magnificently is testament to the skill of this trio and their teams. Internally, the doors slide back into wall recesses to open up the living areas. Externally, they slide back upon each other to open an upstairs bedroom to a balcony, and the main living area downstairs to the outside dining area.

This outdoor area, warmed by a gas fire like the two indoors, has an impressive wall and ceiling of louvres that can be operated electronically from inside. They can be opened to let in the afternoon sun, or closed for privacy, or to shield wind and rain.

The white limestone tiles, imported from Spain, are heated underneath, and flow perfectly from indoors to out. Inside, the tiles are offset by white oak stained dark brown. This is used in wall panels, the kitchen cabinetry, above the fireplaces, in the bedrooms and dressing rooms, and in the bathrooms.

The island bench in the kitchen has a white top in man-made okite, but its design is what's most impressive. Both ends are cantilevered above the floor from a central trunk hiding the steel beams that support them.

"That was something we hadn't done much of before," says John, "Like the water feature out the front. We imported a big slab of basalt and Simon designed the feature, which was hand-chiselled here."

The use of water is mirrored out the back by way of an in-ground pool, with its own adjustable water feature.

Which all adds to the feeling you are boarding a ship as you enter the house from either end, and gaze down its glassy, light-drenched length. Of course it won't be going anywhere, except into the hands of a very lucky first owner.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 726sq m, house 600sq m approx.

PRICE INDICATION: Similar properties in this area are selling in excess of $3 million. Sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: Sat 3pm-3.30pm, Wed 5.30pm-6.15pm.

CONTACT: Gerard and Karin Charteris, Barfoot and Thompson, ph 524 1643 bus, 021 996 622 mob.

FEATURES: Brand new home with two living areas, three gas fireplaces, indoor and outdoor dining, wine cellar, home theatre, wired for sound and television, underfloor heating, automatic outdoor louvres, in-ground heated pool with water feature, front entrance water feature.