The moment Elvon Young and Yanran Xiang of award-winning Architects Young+Richards+ saw that 28 Wharf Road in Herne Bay, Auckland, was for sale back in 2018, they called the agent and asked to see the house immediately.
“They said they could be there in 30 minutes, and I said, ‘great, can you bring the sale and purchase agreement too please; if Yanran likes it we’ll buy it’,” Elvon laughs.
“The moment we walked in the front door, it was all over. We literally bought it in 30 minutes.”
Indulging their passion for and aptitude in architecture, they saw a unique opportunity to gently reimagine this four-bedroom villa along with the two-bedroom cottage next door.
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“The interesting – and beautiful – thing about this house is its age. It’s even rumoured to have been the old Cox’s Bay harbour master’s house in the late 1800s. We see ourselves, and any previous and future owners, as the custodians of this wonderful home.
“Everything we’ve done here has been incredibly considered. We’ve done a lot of work and while many of the modern additions to the home are ridiculously over-specced, if we didn’t need to touch the old, we didn’t, because the home has such a beautiful essence.”
Elvon and Yanran describe their work at Wharf Road as “spatial archaeology”.
“Just as archaeology unveils the past through digging, we’ve used our spatial understanding to explore the history of this villa then gently piece it back together. Initially we didn’t know much about the history and who had lived here, but as we started to pick apart the house, we uncovered its past and reimagined its future.”
Architect and co-owner Elvon Young says: “Everything we’ve done here has been incredibly considered.”
The owners say the outlook to the garden makes it feel like they’re in the middle of lush Titirangi and not just minutes away from the heart of busy Auckland city.
The use of colour has been carefully considered depending on what purpose a space provides.
“The entertaining and living spaces are lighter while the service and transitional spaces like the hallways and bedrooms are darker. Human nature follows the light, and this home does a wonderful way to lead them to the right places.”
While Elvon and Yanran say the original home would have been a traditional early Victorian villa, today it has evolved into a cross between a chic French farmhouse with the spatial planning of a traditional Japanese villa.
“On the ground floor, all the rooms are distinct spaces but meld together. The living space in the back of the house almost sits in the trees and is much like a traditional Japanese tatami space that promotes relaxation and mindfulness. The outlook across the garden makes us feel like we’re in the middle of Titirangi with its lush green surroundings, despite being just minutes from the heart of the city.”
Next to the main house is a two-bedroom cottage which is perfect for intergenerational families.
The use of colour has been carefully considered depending on their purpose with the entertaining and living spaces lighter and the service and transitional spaces darker.
The vendors are selling their much beloved Herne Bay home to move closer to family.
“Between the two homes we have six bedrooms, two kitchens, three living spaces and three bathrooms. Our in-laws have their own space, we have an adults’ lounge, the kids have a playroom, and there are lots of little nooks and crannies where everyone can have their own space yet be together.”
Barfoot & Thompson agent Silvia Poletti, who is marketing the property, says, “Properties like these rarely come to market. Having undergone an extensive renovation by a couple of great architects is a real gift to the next family.”
While the intention was to stay here forever, Elvon and Yanran are moving to be closer to family.
“We are a very close-knit family and as much as we adore living where we are, the reality is our family is spreading and we want to stay near them. It’s time to hand custodianship of this beautiful property onto the next family.”
28 and 2/28 Wharf Road in Herne Bay, Auckland, is on the market for sale and heading to auction on March 19.
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson