1960s Fry, Drew & Partners modernist house in Kemsing, Sevenoaks, Kent
A development covered previously, but this 1960s Fry, Drew & Partners modernist house in Kemsing, Sevenoaks, Kent is new to the market.
In fact, I have covered two houses in the past that form part of the Copperfields development in Kemsing, the work of Fry, Drew & Partners and dating back to around 1964.
Like Span developments, the houses were an attempt to bring modernism to the masses under the gaze of Edwin Maxwell Fry and Dame Jane Drew, the former having previously worked alongside Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. It was a team with serious pedigree and the houses were featured in the design press tag the time as notable builds.
As you can imagine, the houses will have changed in varying degrees over those years. One of the previous finds was something of a time capsule. This one is very much a modern-era family home. But one with bags of character.
The architecture itself has changed little, but that’s no surprise. This is a link-detached house and changing it might be difficult. Also, why would you? It looks amazing in a 1960s Scandi style.
I don’t think it has changed a lot inside either. At least, structurally. The big selling points of the beams, the exposed brick and the open space are still in place, as well as the angled, wood-clad ceilings upstairs.
The difference here is the finish. It’s both modern and eclectic, a touch of retro but also not scared to go modern and with owners who aren’t scared of expressing themselves.
There is a lot going on here but in a good way. This is almost certainly a busy family home and one that’s packed full of character. Much of that ‘character’ is unlikely to be staying, but at least it gives you an idea of just what you can do with this place. Modern houses don’t need to be sterile and stale. They can be busy and colourful too.
I love the mix of old and new in here and like that amazing 1960s modernist house in Nottingham I featured a short while back, it’s great to see owners putting their very own stamp on a house. Houses are places to live, not furniture showrooms.
Lots of living space here too, both inside and out. The ground floor accommodation includes the reception hall with parquet flooring before moving into the open-plan layout.
That’s described as a ‘generous’ (for good reason) dual aspect sitting room with feature open fireplace, exposed beams, wooden flooring and window seat. Beyond that is a good-sized dining room with sky lanterns and bi-fold doors to the rear terrace, a ‘well-proportioned’ study and that wonderful family kitchen with a range of fitted wall and floor units with wooden work surfaces.
That space also seems to include a really cool office/study area too, which looks to be a great home working area and a great place for the kids to do their homework too.
The first-floor space includes a dual-aspect master bedroom with a vaulted wood-lined ceiling, built-in storage, a dressing room and a feature en-suite shower room along with three further bedrooms and a family bathroom with freestanding bath and separate walk-in shower.
But that’s not quite all with this house. There is good outside space and within it, a detached office with bi-fold doors to the gardens, a circular studio and a separate detached block with external room and neighbouring storeroom.
Also present is a forecourt for parking for multiple vehicles, an integral garage, an area of level lawn bordered by mature hedging with a path to the rear and talking of the rear, gardens behind the house including lawn, flowers and a part-covered decked terrace.
The guide price is £750,000 is you fancy moving in.
Images and details courtesy of Strutt and Parker. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
