Herne Bay: Cutting edge

In one of Herne Bay's finest streets is this modern masterpiece boasting a mountain of mod cons. By VICKI HOLDER.

Dramatic lighting adds warmth to the outdoor area at night. An enormous open living area has a gas fire at one end and kitchen at the other. Although the home has clean, contemporary lines, deep cedar soffits ensure the bifolds can be left open even in wet weather.

Beckoning a breed of city slickers with a creative bent, Herne Bay has a reputation slightly left of centre. When planning two homes in one of the area's best northern slopes' avenues, a developer didn't want to just replicate what he had done on the other side of town in that bastion of tradition that is Remuera.

As well as being responsive to the long, narrow site, "they needed to be a little bit funky", he says. So to draw the best from a great team of creative people working on the project, he sat them down and they brain-stormed. It was important to come up with something special, for he planned to live in one himself.

"I tried to work out how I would want to live here and give it the X-factor. Everyone floated ideas and we kept on tinkering so that we got 110 percent out of it with as few compromises as possible."

A key member of the team was architect Brent Hulena. He produced designs for fluid indoor-outdoor living flooded with light and sun. The varied choice of materials was also a statement devised by Hulena. Linea weatherboards, plaster chimney finishes, cedar soffits and an abundance of aluminium louvres give the homes richness and help connect them with some of the more traditional residences in the area.

In the front house, the one for sale, two downstairs living areas and four upstairs bedrooms are carefully positioned on either side of the stairwell to gain viewing corridors around a grand neighbouring villa to the harbour.

Space is exceptionally generous, especially in the larger of the two living rooms. This huge, relaxed, open-plan space with pale timber flooring completely opens up on two sides through glass bifolds to the garden. A gas fire at one end of the room forms an enticing focal point away from the kitchen at the other end, where guests can linger at a big white double composite island bench. Here, dark timber cabinetry balances the lightness of other surfaces, including frosted glass and aluminium flip-top cupboards above the hob.

When you're sitting in the casual area with the doors open, the gentle sound of trickling water can be heard outside the doors. A striking rusted stone water feature on one wall was designed by landscaper Gavin Riversmith, who also developed the equally-as-dramatic garden. It's anything but formula, marrying contrasts in kwila decking, a pocket of lawn and the shimmering water of the pool. Defined by simple rectangular shapes, they create a stunning effect in an easy-care outdoor living area bordered by raised planter boxes.

Beyond the entry foyer and stairwell, a more intimate lounge, perhaps for watching television, gives internal access to the double garage and also opens for enjoyment of the garden. Glass and aluminium cavity doors can divide the two living areas if required, or disappear within the walls to make the spaces work as one.

To further differentiate the home from others in the area, Hulena was particularly keen on resolving small details. Though it's not evident until someone steers you in the right direction, the stainless-steel design on the stair balustrade is repeated at the top of the chimney. American oak on the living room floor reappears on the stair treads. A narrow strip inlay of stainless steel in the timber floor of the foyer pulls the different materials together.

Upstairs bedrooms have sea views and all are large. Naturally, the biggest of all is the master bedroom, which opens to an expansive deck to better appreciate the magnificent view. A fitted walk-through wardrobe behind the bed leads to a luxurious en suite with twin, square, porcelain basins above a low vanity featuring a terrazzo top. Pulsating shower heads are a treat to be enjoyed. Both upstairs bathrooms have heated floors.

Storage is huge in the form of a walk-in linen cupboard designed to cater for larger families.

Luxury technologies are de rigeur in a home such as this. Upstairs bedrooms are wired for computers. A Sky dish and cabling are installed with sensors designed to let you watch Sky TV from any room you choose. There's video/intercom security to the front gate and two phone lines.

In a great location near the beach and the CBD, this luxurious cutting-edge home offers secure, care-free living with loads of style.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 36 Hamilton Rd, Herne Bay.

FEATURES: New luxury home by architect Brent Hulena; two living areas opening to garden; four bedrooms; three bathrooms; internal-access double garaging; heated pool; landscaped garden; American oak flooring in living area; New Yorker metal cavity sliders; gas fireplace; central vac system; limestone pool surround.

SIZE: Land area 438sq m, floor area 296sq m.

TENDER CLOSES: August 25.

AGENTS: Wayne Bulog and Grant Lynch, Unlimited Potential. Ph Wayne 361 6479 bus; 0274 723 557 mob; Grant 529 0592 bus; 0274 965 655 mob.