Omaha: Pretty cool

A round house with the beach at the end of the garden - it's fabulous. By VICKI HOLDER.

For years, Ron and Marion Archer were fascinated by the possibilities of living in a round house. The circular form seemed an obvious way of immersing themselves completely in the view of surrounding gardens. Rather than rooms focusing on a conventional central passage, Marion says it seemed to allow for more open interiors as well as more interesting room shapes. That was the theory, anyway.

They finally had the opportunity to test their ideas in 1987 when they escaped to a peaceful waterfront lifestyle property nestled among other large properties at Pt Wells. Despite being so well prepared with plans drawn up long ago, it took them some years to actually create their dream. The final design, by Ron and the couple's son, Stephen, wasn't built until 1994.

But it was well worth the wait, says Marion, for the completed home is a joy for anybody who loves being in the garden. The site gains wonderful vistas to Omaha and Ti Point over a large fishpond looking through native bush and the safe swimming beach at the harbour's edge.

When they first came here, the property was quite bare, so the Archers planted pohutukawa all along the sandstone shelf by the water. Now the trees have matured they form a sheltered pathway that meanders down through the property.

Marion was surprised to come home from work one day and discover "a massive great hole in the garden". Ron had brought in a digger to make light of the task of putting in a pond. It's a lot bigger than she imagined, but its large dimensions gave the chance to add a long, low bridge where you can stand and spot the goldfish. Planted with waterlilies and lotus, the area has a tranquil, oasis-like feel.

The house also has a fabulous internal view. If they can't be outdoors, Ron and Marion often escape on not-so-warm days to sit with a coffee on the park bench in their glazed central atrium, lapping up the balmy warmth of the subtropical garden.

All rooms emanate from the atrium. An internal walkway with a white balustrade gives an 'outdoors' effect, raised above the floor of the atrium. The Archers have planted bromeliads, palms and ferns - plants that enjoy the heat and shade, so the garden flourishes in its warm internal environment.

As you step along the walkway, it's as if you're walking through the outdoors to get to the three bedrooms, all of which are large. There are no windows from the bedrooms to the interior. However, above the panelled timber doors there are glass skylights that allow glimpses up from the bedrooms to the night sky through the central glass dome. As there's also a paved walkway around the exterior of the house, no matter which way you turn from the bedrooms, there's a pretty outlook.

To the left of the entry, a lounge opens to the dining room and a large circular kitchen, which is filled with sun and features low kauri cabinetry and a benchtop that almost encircles the room.

From this stylish private retreat, the Archers enjoy the many benefits of living in the Warkworth/Matakana region. The beach is at the end of the garden and Omaha is a few minutes away. There are parks, reserves, wineries, cafes, crafts and an aquatic playground on their doorstep.

Still, if you use your imagination there are many more options to consider when you own this large waterfront property, which is just one and a quarter hours from Auckland and a quarter of an hour's drive from Warkworth village.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 38 Waimanu Pl, Pt Wells.

FEATURES: Lifestyle retreat on the beach; harbour views; surrounded by other large properties; circular home with internal garden atrium; large living; three large bedrooms; smaller fourth bedroom or office; big garden full of mature native trees; large fishpond.

SIZE: Land area 6351sq m.

AUCTION: Midday, September 26, on site.

AGENTS: Trini Sheard and Lewis Nixon, Harcourts Top Bays Realty. Ph 441 4200 bus; Trini 426 0806 ah; 027 257 9224 mob; Lewis 479 5033 ah; 0