Jewel of the Nile

By VICKY HOLDER

Auckland's beautiful Herne Bay beachfront is home to some of the country's most innovative architectural creations. Behind the pohutukawa trees, the coast is dotted with spectacular homes, designed by some of the country's foremost architects.

Among this illustrious parade, one home stands out as particularly intriguing and picturesque, though it is hard to put a label on the style - it is an eclectic mix.

The house's original owner was inspired by Addison Mizner, an American architect who influenced the development of Florida resort-style architecture. He took various architectural elements and jumbled them to form a hybrid.

Architect Pete Bossley relished the chance to experiment with a combination of stylistic features in designing a house reminiscent of the Mizner style. Bossley directed the Mizner influence back to a kind of Islamic style and incorporated Spanish, North African and North American features. Like Mizner's buildings, it is not purely anything, but a controlled realisation of a dream world.

Those lucky enough to approach the home by boat - the only way anybody other than owners and guests might get to appreciate it - are lured by a romantic arched loggia that reaches out from the living areas towards a sparkling mosaic pool. Forget the temptation of mounting the steps to the lawn - a perimeter security beam will alert the neighbourhood to the intrusion.

Invited guests drive past a handsome parterre garden to an Islamic desert entry, straight out of Arabian Nights. An exterior arch draws visitors towards a grand pentagonal entry and stairwell. Five columns reach up to a stepped pentagonal roof skylight, as dazzling and gem-like as a cut diamond. Two-toned marble floors radiate past an office, on the diagonal away from the entry, linking the main living areas to the sea beyond.

Galleries from the entry along the middle of the house have a sense of openness, from room to room and to the outdoors. Voids and skylights let light flood down into the house. Deep-set recesses high in the wall capture late-afternoon sun, throwing light along the passage.

A fountain outside the entry passage in a Moorish-looking courtyard adds cool respite to the heat of summer. Jade ceramic tiles inset in tall, narrow window frames lend colour to sparkling white exterior walls.

From the family living area, you can look through tall shuttered windows to a sunken formal lounge, heralded by a platform large enough to house a grand piano. A feature fireplace with marble mantel and curving chevrons in the plastered wall behind is balanced by timber cabinetry.

A kitchen clad in grey hammer-finished cabinetry, topped by Blue Pearl granite bench tops, fits between the dining room and family area. Stairs from the entry lead across a bridge to several upstairs bedrooms, each built to make the most of the views.

Pumpkin-coloured steps from the terrace outside follow a jade stucco wall down into a private garden. Simply landscaped with Hinuera stone around the pool, lawn and hedging, it perfectly complements the strong architectural lines of the house. Fishermen can throw a line into the water from the cliff at the end of the lawn and catch snapper for supper.

The huge, multi-purpose room above three-car garaging was designed to give subsequent owners flexible options. As it is, it could be used as an artist's studio, gymnasium or bedroom/entertainment suite. But it could also be split into two rooms with a shared bathroom between.

A guest bedroom cooled by separate air conditioning has its own entry and large private balcony. And the master bedroom with kitchenette, big fitted dressing room and en suite opens to the upstairs terrace, which has wonderful sea views.

The materials used throughout the house were chosen to give a sense of richness. The upstairs bathrooms are luxuriously clad in deep green marble. Villeroy and Bosch fittings stand the test of time after 10 years of use.

Downstairs, a large party room accommodates a wine cellar, kitchen/bar, sauna, bathroom and additional basement storage. Doors open to a deep mosaic spa that sits in the shelter of the upstairs balcony.

A visual delight, rich in enigmatic detail, this large home makes the most of its waterfront site with wonderful airy, living spaces designed for pleasure.

Vital statistics:

Address: 49 Argyle St, Herne Bay.

Features: Beautifully detailed Pete Bossley-designed home on water's edge without 20m setback; three-car garaging; Islamic marbled entry; office; four plus bedrooms; four bathrooms; luxurious materials and fittings; entertainment suite with kitchen, sauna, wine cellar, bathroom, huge storage; spa pool; swimming pool; gas heating.

Size: Floor area 765 sq m.

Agent: Stanley and Barbara Armon, Barfoot & Thompson, Epsom. Ph 520 6221 bus; 025 723 377 mob.