SCHOOL ZONES:
Rodney College, Wellsford School, Living Way Christian School.
CONTACT:
Donna Wyllie, Remax, 021 827 932, 09 425 0261.
AUCTION:
2pm 12 March on site.
When Ken Price and Pip Izard-Price were forced to build new after their bungalow in Wayby Valley burned down, they decided their new home would be different in style to the place they had lost.
"Having your house burn down and lose virtually everything is very traumatic," says Ken.
Theyhad been living on the Wayby Valley property since 1999 when they moved to the area, less than an hour north of Auckland, to be near Pip's parents.
Their 4.7 ha of land had been divided off the main farm Pip's parents owned.
Adding to the wait and stress was 18 months of sorting out insurance and design. But four years after their 1970s bungalow was razed, Ken says it was satisfying to move into the new two-bedroom home.
The couple had engaged architect Malcolm Halley from Mangawhai for the new home on the hilltop site, with shelter from mature trees and views over Springhill airfield and farmland.
"Pip wanted an ergonomic and environmentally friendly building featuring natural light and great airflow," says Ken.
The layout of their modern north-facing home is simple and effective. One wing has the kitchen and living, on the other side are the two bedrooms and bathrooms wing, and these are joined by the central living space.
The couple felt it was important to use natural products. These work well in the open plan design with raked ceilings, large sliding doors and windows.
Build materials include Lawson cypress board and batten cladding, macrocarpa posts and Alaskan cedar joinery and doors.
1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley. Photo / Supplied
For flooring the dining area has eucalyptus hardwood, the entrance and laundry feature Akaroa terracotta cobbles, and the kitchen has saligna hardwood floors.
Where the house transitions through the living space, larger terracotta tiles have been laid in a diamond pattern.
The living area ceilings are raked with Lawson cypress ship lap and tongue and groove finish above the plaster finished walls.
In the centre of the home, the Pyroclassic fireplace with wetback fuels the underfloor heating as well as warming the whole house during cooler months.
In the kitchen, designed so anyone on cooking duty can appreciate the views and enjoy company while meals are prepared, the benchtops are granite (as is the pantry counter).
Appliances include a Miele oven, Bosch warmer drawer, De Dietrich induction hob and an Asko dishwasher.
1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley. Photo / Supplied
High windows and rain sensor velux windows were chosen for natural light and airflow, and the stack-bonded and honed concrete block feature by the lounge's fireplace is, in fact, a structural part of the house that also acts as a cooling factor in summer and warmth holding in winter.
"This, along with the terracotta tiles, ensures the home maintains fantastic thermal comfort throughout the seasons," says Ken.
At the rear of the house is a large sheltered outdoor area with a heated swimming pool. Around the home and pool the couple have planted native bird-attracting trees and shrubs.
These include kahikatea, pseudopanax, griselinia hedging and a mature titoki in the pool area where kereru feed on the berries.
And set slightly apart from the home is the original garaging, workshop and loft that were unaffected by the fire.
1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley. Photo / Supplied
"That is only 10 years old and was built to house a boat and a car," says Ken. "Post-fire we furnished the upstairs loft where we were then able to live throughout the rebuild. This is now a perfect self-contained area for guests or family."
Another part of the property Ken likes is their long, meandering driveway. "This takes you along 600m, well inside the original 1000-acre farm.
The driveway is tree-lined and it meanders uphill through dense native bush." Halfway up glow worms can be seen along its banks at night.
At the top of the driveway, you are treated to those views of farmland and the airfield Pip's parents Richard and Patience Izard developed more than 20 years ago.
The couple have had horses on their 4.7ha but the land is now being grazed with sheep from the neighbouring farm.
