A Rare London Midcentury Bursting With Brilliant Color Pops Up for £1.1M
The 1979 courtyard home beams with bright hues after a playful revamp by Studio MacLean.
The 1979 courtyard home beams with bright hues after a playful revamp by Studio MacLean.
In South London, just between Camberwell Grove and Grove Lane, sits a hidden architectural gem. Positioned amidst a row of light-colored brick garages, the single-story dwelling was designed in 1979 by British architect Martin Crowley to serve as his family residence.
The home was designed in 1979 by British architect Martin Crowley, and planning permissions stipulated that the home had to blend into the neighborhood. Thus, Crowley positioned the single-story structure discreetly behind a modest wood-clad exterior sandwiched between garages. Today, a brightly painted door offers a glimpse of the cheerful hues found inside.
Photo courtesy of The Modern House
"It was the first home that the architect had built for himself," says Jason MacLean, who owns the abode with his partner, Jenny. "Everything about it is clever—the materials, the layout, the position." The couple—who are also the creative duo behind Studio MacLean—purchased the property in 2006.
As avid fans of midcentury architecture, particularly the Eames House in L.A., Jason and Jenny were sold as soon as they laid eyes on the courtyard residence. "It felt like the closest thing to the Eames House that we could get in London," notes Jason.
Designed around two courtyards, the home is arranged to track the sun throughout the day, ushering an abundance of light into the interior spaces. The main entrance looks out onto a west-facing walled garden.
Photo courtesy of The Modern House
"The moment we stepped through the front door, we knew this was it—and we’ve felt the same ever since. I still get that same feeling when I step into the house. It’s like having a bit of California in Camberwell," he continues.
Original details can be found throughout, including the terra-cotta tiles lining the floors.
Photo courtesy of The Modern House
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