WowHaus

This was offered for rental back in 2012, but the wonderful Tapiola 1970s modern house in Chislehurst, Kent is now up for sale.

Back then it was described as ‘one of Kent’s most architecturally interesting and appealing houses’ and that still stands today. Nothing has changed in terms of the design in the intervening nine years.

This is still a landmark modernist design, the work of Anthony Goddard and Donald Manton and dating back to 1975 It received an architects’ commendation from RIBA shortly after it was built and is still a striking piece of architecture today, both inside and out.

The exterior is the kind of stark angular modernism that was typical of the time – and the kind of look that’s popular today. Love how it integrates within its wooden surroundings too.

But this isn’t just about kerb appeal. The interior is something special too.

This isn’t a time capsule of the era. The house was refurbished ahead of being offered for rental some years back and has been updated since. But it has been a sympathetic update that’s likely to appeal to fans of the style and the era.

Like all sympathetic updates, attention has been paid to the key architectural details in terms of preservation. Of course, the kitchen is recent, as are the bathroom upgrades and bedroom finishes. But the heart of the house is unchanged.

The double-height space, the walls of glass, the exposed brick, the open-tread staircase, the gallery and the tiled flooring, for example. All key to the design and all preserved at the heart of this house.

That’s the ‘wow’ factor here. The light fitting and the artwork might be new, but the rest of the reception is pure 1975. It’s always great to see a design respected in this way.

Lots of space too, both inside and out. I’ll come to the outside of this one in a moment, but for now, let’s talk about the inside space.

Tapiola was constructed to maximise social living space and natural light by way of large glazing throughout, which in a way, was approach ahead of its time. These days, everyone wants a bright, open living space.

Behind the chimney stack and wood burner, you will find the main living area, which accesses the rear garden. On the other side, the dining room and a large kitchen, with what looks like a utility just behind the integrated garage.

At the other side of the hallway on the ground floor are two double bedrooms, both of which connect to the courtyard garden and family bathroom/sauna.

A very cool open tread staircase takes you up to the ‘vast’ galleried landing where there is a master bedroom, an en-suite bathroom and a ‘versatile’ reception room overlooking the main living space.

Outside you will find a secluded frontage, a substantial driveway for parking, a woodland style rear garden, of course, access to the large garage. It’s a lovely (and substantial) setting.

A dream of a house for someone and if you love 1970s modernism, somewhere you really should check out. Although to own it, you will need something in the region of £1,350,000.

Images and details courtesy of Proctors. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.