Within these walls

Set in a palm-studded garden, this Auckland abode is sanctuary and social hotspot in one.

Designing their own home had long been on Renee and Barry Woolcott’s bucket list, so when they purchased a section in Auckland’s eastern suburbs in 2008, grand plans began to take shape. After undertaking some minor renovations to make the property’s existing home liveable, the couple took their time weighing up the possibilities of further alterations versus demolition and starting from scratch. The latter won out.

Some of their first thoughts around developing the site included overhauling the gardens. “We weren’t even using the land,” says Barry. “There was a little goat track to get to the back garden, and 70% of the yard was basically just a run for our dogs.” Maximising the views across the harbour to Rangitoto was another priority for the pair, which made building upwards essential, and as keen entertainers, creating dedicated spaces in which to indulge their love of hosting was also top of mind. Four years and two kids later, their wish list had grown even longer to accommodate the needs of a young family.

Wedge-shaped and on a hill, the section was not without its challenges, so the Woolcotts engaged architects Young & Richards to help devise a plan that would ensure they ticked everything off. The solution was to carve into the steep slope, working with the landscape rather than against it to create an oasis centered around a generous courtyard and pool area. •

The home is designed as three pavilions, with a guest suite, laundry and garage on the ground level, living areas in the centre and sleep spaces on top. Stacked on angles, the distinct structures each contain a series of intimate spaces that provide the family with purpose-designed zones in which to enjoy life’s various activities.

Thanks to her studies in interior design and involvement in the family business, flooring company Jacobsen, Renee has a keen eye for materials and surfaces. Excited by the chance to get involved with the creative aspects of the interior, she became the build’s project manager. With two preschoolers and a baby on the way, the timing could have been better.

“But life throws these things at you!” she laughs. “At nine months pregnant, I was tottering down wooden boards to check on our half-built home, and two weeks later I was back with our new baby in a front pack to discuss lighting plans and tiling with the builders. It was an intense few months for us, but a total privilege.”

At the centre of the finished home, clean lines define the kitchen and dining area. Barry is Canadian, and the couple’s time spent living in Toronto and working and holidaying in the US has given them a love of North American style. In the dining room is a nod to this aesthetic in the form of a custom-made •

booth, jewel-toned cushions and a chandelier overhead elevating the look from roadside diner to modern and sophisticated. In the kitchen, a marble island, LED lighting and a walk-in butler’s pantry continue the luxe yet family-friendly vibe.

“Because of my background in buying tiles, the selection of flooring products and tiling were of particular importance to me,” says Renee. “I’m so pleased with the outcome, especially the little details that in a strange way you hope no one notices.”

The home’s extended roofline and deep soffits make light work of the ultra-sunny aspect. “I love the feeling of sun streaming in, so initially we worried that the shaded outdoor area would make the interior of the house too dark,” says Renee. “But it would have been a nightmare without it, because it’s just so hot here. You can’t sit in the sun for more than 15 minutes, so we’re really glad we have this so we can enjoy outdoor living.”

Despite its location on a busy suburban corner, the walled garden gives the property a sense of tranquility and provides the ultimate playground for the children, plus privacy from the road. “We couldn’t be happier with the end result,” says Renee. “We like to host our family and friends for visits, barbecues and parties, and it’s then that we appreciate the space and flow of our home the most.”