A waterfront home spawned during a 1920s courtship evolved into an extraordinary union between traditional and contemporary.
The current owners briefed architect Tim Dorrington to retain elements of an early double-brick bungalow while transforming it to maximise sun and stunning seaside views.
The resulting home at 26 Winsomere Crescent in Westmere, Auckland was featured in magazines, and was a finalist in 2016’s NZIA House of the Year.
One of the owners says, “These days people are primarily blown away by the view, but they also comment on the cool factor of the house.”
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One of the homeowners said: “It was important to me the house have personality and colour.” Photo / Supplied
The original bespoke home was built by a master brick-and-layer who spent most Saturdays of his courtship onsite with his bride-to-be, cleaning demolition bricks for the build.
Fast forward some 80 years and these owners bought here wanting a quiet location with space for their two then-young children to roam and explore.
“This was a dream location on the water in the friendly community of Westmere, with uninterrupted views out over Meola Reef.”
The family have caught snapper fishing off the reef, paddle-boarded and kayaked.
26 Winsomere Crescent is an extraordinary union between traditional and contemporary. Photo / Supplied
The ever-changing tidal view delivers spectacular sunsets and fascinating bird-watching including endangered species.
The household initially spent two years living here with warren-like rooms, little connection to the view and even an outside toilet accessed off back steps.
One of the owners says, “Those first two winters every night before bed I’d say a little prayer that neither of the kids would want to go to the toilet overnight.”
The re-invented home completed in 2012 amalgamates old and new structures with original brick at the front, bagged and painted white to update its look.
The homeowners have caught snapper fishing off the reef, paddle-boarded and kayaked. Photo / Supplied
This integrates with two new blocks; a zinc-clad apexed void containing living spaces and a cedar-screened block containing new bedrooms.
“Tim has a particular design style of connecting internal and external spaces, so you’ll see the bagged brick, the cedar and the zinc interlacing both internally and externally as if in conversation with each other.
“It was important to me the house have personality and colour, with a somewhat modern 70’s vibe and a sense of fun and warmth.”
An original mosaic front porch introduces three bedrooms, an updated art deco bathroom and powder room.
The stained glass illuminates the hallway and staircase. Photo / Supplied
Mondrian-style coloured stained glass illuminates the hallway and staircase downstairs.
The view wows in the striking open-plan kitchen-dining-lounge equipped with a scullery and Bosca wood-burner.
It flows out to entertaining decks and the cantilevered swimming pool on 782sqm grounds.
“People enjoy the blend of old and new, the colour and light effects from the stained glass and the feeling of relaxation the house inspires. And it works fantastically well for entertaining.”
The open-plan kitchen-dining-lounge flows out to decks and the cantilevered swimming pool. Photo / Supplied
The egg-shaped bath in the sea-gazing master suite shares in the view.
Downstairs has a chic media room with built-in bar, wine cellar and projector. There’s also a bathroom, fifth bedroom with private access, laundry and internal-access double garage. A private path leads down to your own boatshed for water-sports and fishing gear, then beach access.
Children maturing, the family are downsizing.
The re-invented home at 26 Winsomere Crescent, completed in 2012, amalgamates old and new structures. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Vicki Wallace says: “This very special residence represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to secure an architecturally designed home in a stunning waterfront setting overlooking Meola Reef, a true treasure in Westmere.”
The Wallaces of Bayleys – Vicki, Gary and Andrew – are marketing this property.
26 Winsomere Crescent in Westmere, Auckland will be sold at auction on November 17.
