UNIQUE: Architecturally designed rural residence in Whitford makes a statement. Photography by Jim Janse. NESTLED among pin oaks on a rolling rural property is a home so architecturally unique it invokes images of the Bahamas or Hawaii and not New Zealand’s largest city.
Designed by architect DH Viljoen and built in the 1980s, the property belonging to Derek and Alison Fisher is a landmark for the lifestyle block area.
The land incorporates two homes on one section. The main house has been the base for Derek and Alison for the past five years, while their daughter and son-in-law reside in the residence at the front of the property.
Derek, now retired, says they weren’t attracted to the house per se as much as to the whole package — most importantly that it allowed their extended family to stay together on one property.
The Fishers moved to the property from another in Whitford five years ago and the couple has spent time living overseas, including various locations around Italy for a year.
The house as first built is still standing, with only a new roof having been rebuilt over the 650 square metre structure and a conversion from four bedrooms to three before the Fishers took ownership. The main home’s unique kidney shape stands out at first glance.
A water feature at the front entrance is sliced out of the shape, and to cross over the bridge is to already be inside.
Through the front door lies an extraordinary view directly out to the back of the property, speaking to the fact that such detailed design is a significant feature of this family home.
Its curvaceous style leads the visitor through the home as it reveals itself slowly in pieces and a skylight and marble inlay at the end of the hallway are eye-catching features.
The home is divided internally into public and private spaces, with bedrooms at one end and a number of living rooms at the other.
Each of the bedrooms opens out to its own view, providing yet more private space.
A ranch slider in the main living room opens out onto the kidney-shaped pool and spa, with multiple levels of garden beyond.
Stepping down the two steps into the main living room makes the visitor feel sheltered in a warm and inviting space, while an impressive honed stone fireplace provides the room with a lived-in, homely feeling.
Walking up the winding staircase leads to a turret with room for four or five people to stand and survey the expanse.
The home’s original owner was a horse breeder and trainer, who used the turret to survey his prize possessions from one vocal point.
The main turret stands out from the surrounding hills and serves as a focal point for the eye. It is balanced by another on the opposite side of the roof, with the one above the home’s public space being the largest.
A little door to the side provides entry to the internals of the roof, demonstrating an intricate network of interlocking timber. The rounded shape of the home and its roof provided challenges during building.
Derek jokes that he believes the original owner must have owned a sawmill when he built the place due to the amount of timber in the roof.
Laying the floor plans onto the billiard table, he explains that one living room was originally going to be a garage but during construction was changed to a playroom.
The walls of the hallway are filled with Alison’s original artworks, with a nook off the garage providing a working space for a budding artist.
Antique furniture is scattered expertly throughout the home and an elegant grandfather clock takes pride of place near the front entrance.
North-facing views of the Hauraki Gulf at the property’s rear are expansive and the park-like grounds invite outdoor entertaining or play.
The home is designed in an avant-garde style, with the long swooping shape of the roof in keeping with the rolling hills surrounding it.
Falling from the roof are structural guy ropes, sloping down to the ground.
They may have been incorporated into the home’s design to make it look grounded and stand out from the surrounding landscape.
The style of the roof is tempered by a shingle surface and the use of traditional detailing in the home’s interior.
Examples of such detail are shown in what is almost a classical cornice on the walls, and the doorframes and skirting.
The main feature at the rear of the property is a large kidney-shaped pool, north-west facing to absorb maximum heat for afternoon swims. Attached to the pool is a spa, and both are not far from the sauna, which runs off the side of the garage.
Utilising the freedom of being avant-garde in the design of the roof while at the same time expressing the value of a traditional cornice provides an interesting contrast in styles and helps make the rural residence the standout that it is.
