Remuera: Clean lines

VICKI HOLDER checks out three townhouses with the designer touch, where style and detail prevail and the outdoor living is second to none.

As he continues to clock up high profile awards, architect Andre Hodgskin has forged an enviable reputation as a designer of bold, dramatic buildings.

For the past few years he has won the New Zealand Institute of Architecture's Auckland regional award for best home - as well as best project for under $200,000 for his Bach Kit, a portable design that has had huge international interest.

Originally from South Africa, Hodgskin draws inspiration from the strong, simple forms of Brazilian architect Oscar Neimeyer and Japanese architect Tadao Ando, as well as the early 1950s experimental work of Pierre Lonig, who was renowned for his desert architecture.

He believes his work is distinguished by its simplicity. "But there's complexity in simplicity," he says. "To achieve something that appears simple usually goes through a complex process."

Clients queue up to have Hodgskin design their homes. However, working as both developer and designer, he has created an opportunity to purchase "off the shelf" three town homes in a popular Remuera location.

Incorporating design concepts evident in some of his more expensive architectural offerings, these offer buyers certain economies of scale plus the quality and attention to detail you expect in his buildings.

These adjoining, three-level homes face north for the sun, turning their backs on the road. The houses are placed to offer optimum privacy and outdoor living. Expansive, private, sun-drenched living areas perch on top of the internal-access double garaging.

After climbing the deep charcoal/brown-toned carpet, which lines the confined proportions of the stairwell, you emerge in a blast of sunlight that pours into a big, wide, open space incorporating the kitchen, dining area and living room on the middle level.

A distinctive aspect of Hodgskin's residential design is the way he seamlessly blends internal living spaces with the outdoors. In each of these homes an 8m wall on the northern aspect disappears as three glass doors glide back into a cavity, which almost doubles the living space as it reaches out to expansive timber terraces. A wide overhang provides shade and allows the doors to remain open even when it is drizzling.

Clean, uncluttered, flexible living spaces, with white walls and ceilings, and walnut-stained timber floors engender a zen-like feeling of calm. All the lighting is on dimmers to set a soft ambience.

The cool white kitchens feature integrated Smeg appliances and smooth cabinetry. Cupboards above the cooking recess, which stretch all the way up to the ceiling, forgo handles - they are opened by a gentle tap of the hand. This way the cabinetry is less intrusive and looks more like a wall than cupboards.

Slim, square, brushed aluminium handles feature on the lower cabinets. Housing stainless-steel sinks and elegant tapware, the island bench between the dining area and kitchen workspace features white Carrara marble.

A tall recess in the wall beside the stairwell opening is designed to accommodate furniture for the television, stereo and entertainment equipment. A gas fire invites cosy winter camaraderie in the sitting area.

Stairs rise to a second level and the spacious bedrooms, which have views over the rooftops to Rangitoto Island in the distance. Curtains are not necessary as neighbours can't look down into these apartments.

All the bedrooms incorporate an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling storage cupboards fitted with rails for short and long clothing items. The master bedroom includes additional cupboard space in the dressing area, which runs the length of a passage that opens to a separate wing on the upper floor.

Though their dimensions are compact, the bathrooms are made to feel spacious and airy - infused with natural light from the ceiling above the frameless glass showers. Mirrored doors on wall-hung cabinets above the basins heighten the perception of space. Designed for easy care, the floors and walls feature cinnamon-coloured mosaic tiles. American standard white porcelain fittings add appealing modern shapes.

Vital statistics

ADDRESS: 778 Remuera Rd, Remuera.

FEATURES: Three apartments designed by architect Andre Hodgskin; north-facing on three levels; three bedrooms; double garaging with remote-controlled garaging underneath; open-plan living levels extend to expansive terraces; retractable glass cavity doors; gas fires; square halogen lighting; Smeg kitchen appliances; two bathrooms including master en suite; walk-through dressing area in master suite; views to Rangitoto from upper level.

SIZE: Floor areas 165sq (including garaging) plus 80sq m of decks.

AUCTION: 11am, December 11, at Barfoot & Thompson's Chancery auction rooms.

AGENT: Joanna Deighton, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; 529 0930 ah; 025 987 680 mob.