38 Upland Road, Huia, Waitakere City, Auckland

This architecturally designed passive solar house offers incredible ocean views of the outer Manukau Harbour Heads from every room, framed by a dramatic forested Waitakere Ranges ridge.

Designed by Solarei, the house is oriented to the sun, so inside stays comfortable in all seasons with very little heating and cooling. The house features floor to ceiling glass windows and sliding doors creating a seamless flow between indoor comfort and surrounding nature. Thermal mass walls absorb and re-radiate the heat from the sun, keeping the house warm in winter, while a convective flow through the windows is designed to use the sea breeze to cool the house in the summer.

The main house and the studio are served by fibre optic high speed internet, wired to every room, providing excellent connectivity for a home-based business or remote working.

The main house flows from the entrance to a fabulous chefs kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, travertine counter tops, and a customized pantry, leading to open plan living and dining areas with outstanding views. The main house has three bedrooms with large sliding glass doors. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and well-designed walk-in closet. The other two bedrooms share a full bathroom with dedicated laundry space.

The stunning detached studio has its own kitchenette, en-suite bathroom, wardrobe, beautiful views, and a large sliding glass door for easy access to the garden. Its separate entrance offers a private area for guests, an older relative, or would be ideal for AirBnB. There is a separate workshop with its own sink located next to the two-car carport. The one acre property has been planted for privacy, shelter, and low maintenance. The ample garden lawn is well maintained by a robot mower, which will remain with the house.

The garden is wildlife friendly, attracting abundant bird life, including tuis, pheasants, quails, wax-eyes, and fantails. There is a rainwater-fed pond, close to the citrus and figs trees, with water lilies, seasonal frogs. Utilities bills are kept low with a 30,000 litre rainwater tank in addition to the public water, a 21 panel solar system with battery storage, and heat pumps in 4 of the rooms.

The extensive trails and wild beaches of the Waitakere Ranges Park are literally on the doorstep of the house. It's an ideal place for the outdoor enthusiast, or just to unwind in your own retreat. So whether your focus is indoors or outdoors, or both, this luxury high-tech eco-house offers it all.