Bungalow packs a punch
An old home now has a new, bigger life — and a wider outlook, writes Sandra Goodwin
Three generations of the same family, including a successful architect, ended up being served a whole lot of pleasure from a once- charming but basic bungalow bought as a rental. Ann and Hector Smith own this nowbeautifully renovated and extended home and these days live immediately behind it.
They purchased it about 14 years ago, mindful the big section it came with had potential.
Ann says: “It was a prime section at the high point of Waterview with great sun, looking out over Tutukai Reserve to the Upper Harbour.”
Hector says: “However, the bungalow was pretty original when we bought it.
“After we owned it as a rental for about 10 years it really needed things done to it so we had a discussion with our son Jonathan, who is an architect, about the possibilities.”
Jonathan came up with a thorough renovation and striking, substantial rear extension. He also designed a new home subdivided off the rear of this one’s original section for his formerly Remuerabased parents.
Ann says: “We think what he came up with is marvellous.”
Hector says: “Part of the appeal was to have some of our family living side by side for a while.”
Until recently Jonathan, director at College Hillbased Matter Architects and his wife Melody, an Associate Professor of Health Science at Auckland University, lived here with their son Nic ( now aged 4). This bungalow delivers surprises on two fronts. It reveals rear views across the reserve to the upper Waitemata Harbour that could easily have been non- existent had its overhaul not been planned in unison with the new build behind.
The other surprise factor is the extent and modernity of renovations given the bungalow’s frontage encapsulates character charm.
A gate and path flanked by flowering cherries, by lawn and two car off- street parking, leads to the smartly restored frontage. Window bays accented by shingles project either side of a covered front porch.
Worthy original character aspects such as original matai floors have been retained inside but there’s largely been a paradigm shift in modernity and functionality culminating in the substantial new open- plan rear.
The interior was almost gutted by builder Greg Batt of Living Structures. It was rewired, replumbed and insulated; complemented by reroofing, repiling and new landscaping including fencing the rear.
A step up at the end of the hallway heralds the new open- plan living- dining- kitchen area and helps achieve its sea view. This spread floored in solid American oak has two banks of sliding doors opening out to northerly rear decks and lowmaintenance yard.
This area is retirees Hector and Ann’s favourite for its modernity, sunniness, peacefulness, relaxing ambience and entertaining capability.
Ann, who is a graduate of Nanette Cameron Interior Design School, says: “It offers the element of surprise.”
Its highlights include a capacious entertainers’ kitchen, large storage- rich window seat and vaulted ceiling awash with LED lighting above the living area.
The bungalow’s fore offers three bedrooms, including the master suite with walk- through wardrobe and en suite and another bedroom — originally the lounge — with upgraded woodburning fireplace.
There’s unusually generous storage. A built- in study lies opposite the in- cupboard laundry leading to the smart family bathroom.
This locale, which is about to benefit from the Waterview Connection’s imminent opening, has several reserves and playgrounds, easy access to Unitec and is handy to a good bus route into town.
While they were living here Jonathan, Melody and Nic retained a Ponsonby home they owned and did some renovations to it. They’ve moved back to it, optimising the convenience of being walking distance to Jon’s practice so Ann and Hector are selling this renovated, subdivided front bungalow.
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17 FAIRLANDS AVE, WATERVIEW SIZE: PRICE GUIDE: SET DATE OF SALE: INSPECT: SCHOOLS: CONTACT: ON THE WEB: * 2 OSP.
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