Houses old, new, big, small, shabby, and chic; Auckland’s Point Chevalier has them all. When you build a house here, it does not need to adhere to type. In the case of this house, designed by architect Carolyn smith of Architecture smith + scully, this was a lucky break as the section came with plenty of restrictions. The site is only 12 meters wide and slopes away from the road. Height to boundary restrictions played a significant part in the long, low profile of the house, and the stepped down lower storey.

The house sits lower than the street and cuts a discreet, modest figure. This was important to the clients, who did not want the house to be intrusive on the street or to the neighbours. A stepped boardwalk leading to the bright red front door is timber framed for shelter and privacy. Columns and clever lighting create a series of interesting shadows along the pathway, that at night appears to float a little.

The dark stained timber is continued inside the entryway forming a link from outside and a visual cue to lead visitors downstairs to the living areas. On the top level there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They all run off a long hallway that is cleverly lit and protected from the neighbours with a pale timber screen. At the end of the hallway a warm, sun filled lounge that the clients wanted to relax in with books and records, makes the most of the glimpses of sea that the section offers. Doors lead out onto a large balcony.

Descending the stairs you look though large windows into the outdoor breakfast room - a sheltered courtyard framed with black timber and large panels that are a bright, sunny green. The green is repeated in the service courtyard accessed through the laundry. Downstairs a homework area is cleverly tucked in beside the stairs. off another hall runs a laundry, guest bedroom and bathroom, and at the north-west end a large family kitchen, living and dining room.

The living area takes up the maximum width of the footprint and feels very open and expansive. At one end, the kitchen is a sleek modern space, with an island separating it from the dining table in the middle. The other end of the room houses a large lounge area with a gas fire and window seat. The material palette, including an acoustic ceiling panel above the dining table, is made up of soft neutral tones. Floor to ceiling glass sliding doors lead out onto a deck and the garden.

Looking at the house from the back lawn, it stands much taller and reveals more of what is inside. The link between indoor and out is strongest here, without compromising on privacy. Smith has created a warm, inviting house and used the site restrictions to create a series of cleverly unfolding spaces.