Takapuna: American inspired

A development couple and their architect borrowed ideas from design hero Frank Lloyd Wright in creating an Auckland seaside home.

18 Tiri Avenue, Takapuna.

In a city where new architecture has mostly come to mean variations on a glass and concrete box, it is a rare homeowning couple who develop their own style language that breaks away.

Sure, it helps if the homeowners are accustomed to working with Auckland's top architects, project managing and developing up to 10 new houses and renovations a year.

And that they've spent years in North America - home of some of the most exciting new residential architecture of the 20th century - working on luxury homes and gardens in up-scale Santa Barbara.

Three years ago when Tracey and Richard Vincent commissioned their stunning seaside home a stone's throw from Milford beach, their brief was based on a 100-year-old house in Chicago by their design hero, Frank Lloyd Wright. Architect John D'Anvers got it immediately.

``It was wonderful, as we talked about the long low proportions, the mix of materials, the timelessness of what we were after, John started sketching,'' recalls Tracey. ``We have that sketch framed in our office and the final house barely changed from that concept.''

Richard had spent his teen years in America, not far from Lloyd Wright's famous Falling Water, and had always been amazed how his homes were both very liveable, yet timeless in their designs.

The couple had worked with their friend D'Anvers for over 20 years, so knew that he could capture the features they loved - the large cantilevered roof, over-sized chimneys, strong horizontal and vertical window planes.

Amazing iron-work on balustrades indoors and out is repeated in table legs, echoed in door handles, even fitted out in the working office; a varied palette of timbers is used on shutters, floors and cabinets throughout the house. Copper, cedar shingles and plaster blend the house with its environment outside.

While the house has been beautifully crafted, its floor plan reflects the easy outdoor living of modern beachside Auckland. From the double-height entry with its sweep of stairs, guests are led into the open-plan kitchen and family room.

Cabinetry, columns and coved ceilings evoke a grander era, but the appliances, including an Ilve cooker and a top end Liebherr double fridge, are pure 21st Century.

Horizontal panes of glass and bifold doors open the family room to an outdoor living area. This overlooks a 15m lap pool and garden, and a basalt wall water feature.

The Vincents sourced mature palms from all over the country, some more than 60 years old, to create their tropical retreat. Back inside, sliding walls allow access to the formal dining area and formal winter lounge, cozied by a slate chimney fireplace.

To repeat the interesting planes of the exterior of the house, D'Anvers layered the upper floors of private bedrooms and bathrooms.

A half floor above the triple garage is a self-contained apartment, currently used as Auckland's prettiest office but easily converted to a small flat or media room.

Four large double bedrooms (the master with a luxury en-suite) all have balconies and garden views; one has its own sitting room. A further large room at garage level could be used as a hobby room or gym.

After three years here, the Vincents are moving with their daughters to build on another empty section further along Milford beach.
``This is truly like living on holiday, every day, in suburbia,'' says Richard.


VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4+

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 3

SIZE: Land 639sq m, house 460sq m.

PRICE: $3.55 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/450855

CONTACT: Nicola Whitley, Bayleys, ph 489 0977, 021 280 5984.

FEATURES: Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired house by John D'Anvers featuring cedar shingles, copper and plaster exterior, richly crafted timber interior. Large kitchen and family room opening to covered porches, 15m lap pool, basalt water feature and grounds landscaped with palms. Formal living with schist fireplace, formal dining room. Self contained apartment, large basement rumpus/storage room.