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When Jo Davidson started looking for a home on Waiheke Island four years ago, she thought she was an ``old house'' person, and hoped to find one within walking distance of a beach.
No one was more surprised than her when she found herself the owner of a brand new geodesic dome house, up the road from Onetangi beach, and with 300-degree views of rolling hills and vineyards.
``I always thought I liked the character of old houses more than new ones, but when I saw this one I fell in love with it,'' says Jo. ``I only visited it after a friend told me to to have a look at the kitchen, because I love cooking, and spent all of five minutes there. But I became fixated on the house and its setting over the next few days.''
Jo was aware its auction was approaching, but was then called overseas for work at short notice.
``I ended up faxing the agent and my lawyer with my best offer from the Koru lounge as my flight was being called. I spent the next 12 hours on the plane thinking `What have I done?'''
It turned out her offer was enough to seal the purchase, and when she returned from overseas she called the agent and asked to have another look through her new house.
`` I was relieved when it was even nicer than I remembered it.''
Designed by New Zealander John Rich, who has built geodesic dome houses all over the world, the shape is made from a series of interlocked triangles, clad in Butynol shingles.
Many of his houses have naked timber interiors, but this one is lined with slightly roughcast plaster, painted white. Pale, polished floorboards offset the walls to create a modern yet relaxed feel that suits the house's island setting.
``It's very lofty and airy, and always light,'' says Jo. ``There are triangular windows in the ceiling as well as the walls, so it picks up light at times of day when most houses wouldn't. The light is always changing, like the tide.''
You enter at the bottom of three levels and walk past two bedrooms and a bathroom to a staircase that takes you up to an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. The kitchen is highly specced with Miele appliances and wide, quality benchtops, and Jo says it's a joy to cook in.
The master bedroom and en suite are at the back of this level.
A curved staircase leads up to a mezzanine area, which also has a bathroom off it. Jo set up this floor as a second lounge, but it could also be an office or another bedroom.
``A lot of mezzanines are quite open to the floor below and noisy, but this one is quiet and private.
You can relax up here and look at the view.''
French doors lead from the middle floor to an expansive deck that wraps around the house, making the most of the northwest views and providing sheltered spots depending on where the wind is blowing from.
Jo is famous among her friends for the big parties she throws each year for her birthday and Christmas, and says the house has worked brilliantly as a venue.
Beyond the deck she created a courtyard, kitchen garden and fruit trees including limes, tamarillos and feijoas. There's still plenty of room for a swimming pool, and even a tennis court, should the next owner want to develop the section further.
Jo has enjoyed not only the house, but also the Waiheke lifestyle. She commutes to work in the CBD on the ferry every day, and has formed a new social network with fellow passengers who enjoy being able to chat, read the paper, drink coffee in the morning and wine at night, rather than hold the steering wheel of a car.
``You get home to the island refreshed and put work behind you. At the weekend, and in summer, it's like going on holiday.''
From home she can wander down to the beach, or head off on one of the walking tracks that trace their way over the island.
``I hear moreporks around the house, and wood pigeons and tui fly through.''
She's watched many sunsets from her deck, looking west across Rocky Bay to the mainland, across the top of an old pa site where the hills roll strongly.
``The light sets across them quite beautifully,'' says Jo. ``I've even been moved to try to paint it on occasion.''
So why is she leaving? Well, moving to Waiheke was the start of a life change in more ways than one. Now she's going to live with a man she met there.
Vital Statistics
SIZE: Land 2327sq m, house 175sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: $915,000.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12-1pm.
ON THE WEB: www.premium.co.nz ID # 10248
CONTACT: Russell Duck or Chris Palmer, Premium, 372 1083 bus, ph Russell 0274 770 802, 372 8183 a/h; Chris 0274 734 721, 372 5047 a/h.
FEATURES: Four-year-old geodesic dome house on three levels, with northwest views of surrounding farmland and vineyards. Mezzanine level could be second lounge, office or fourth bedroom. Fruit and vegetable garden. Within walking distance of Onetangi beach, 10 minutes drive from ferry terminal.
