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Grade II-listed

1950s, Modernist, United Kingdom

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

Now this is special. The Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire is on the market for the very first time.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

The house dates back to 1955 and has grade II-listed status, which is down to both the status of the architects and the fact that thus is ‘ a very rare example’ of a completed domestic commission. The fact that it hasn’t been offered for sale before only adds to the appeal.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

The house was designed for Derek and Jean Sugden, following the brief that it should be ‘a simple house, an ordinary house, but that this should not exclude it from being a radical house’. The end result pretty much follows that to the letter.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

The property is also in remarkably original condition too, which is hardly surprising when you consider it is still in the family’s hands. Yes, you can spot updated details here and there, but the free flowing reception space and angular upper floor areas are still very much as they were.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

The finishes too, you suspect, haven’t departed too much from the original ones either. In fact, the agent mentions the original open timber staircase designed by Alison Smithson, as well as the brick fireplace and inset concrete shelving. Even the kitchen units (again designed by Alison Smithson) are also still in place, as well as the inbuilt cupboards in the bedroom.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

Plenty of space too, both inside and outside. In terms of the inside, there is a ground floor made up of an open plan living room / kitchen / dining room, all of which is light and bright thanks to the extensive glazing on this floor. There’s also a study / bedroom that overlooks the garden, with a walk-in larder, a walk-in coat cupboard and a drying room completing this floor.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

Well, almost. There is as an integral garage and garden room at ground level too.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

Head up that wonderful staircase and you will find four bedrooms, a WC and small family bathroom. As we said, the master bedroom has those Alison Smithson-designed cupboard still in place.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

Outside is grounds covering something like half an acre, the house sitting in an elevated position surrounded on three sides by a paved terrace and overlooking the lawn, mature shrubs and trees. A finishes things off.

1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire
1950s modernism: Alison & Peter Smithson-designed The Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire

More on the house in the ‘history’ section of the agent’s site and more images too. If this is your dream house, it is on the market for £1,200,000.

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

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