1970s Syd Furness modern house in Cambridge

There’s more than a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright about this 1970s Syd Furness modern house in Cambridge.

Syd Furness was both a professor at Cambridge University and the man behind Furness Associates, a noted practice behind a number of significant constructions across the UK. But the house he designed for himself is perhaps his best-known work.

Described as one of the most outstanding examples of modern architecture in Cambridge, you will find it in a secluded spot to the south-east of the city centre, with the house dating back to 1979.

The house is only accessible via a ‘picturesque footpath’ around 200 feet in length, which has always been the case and dictated the kind of house that was constructed by and for the architect and his family.

It is described as using a ‘simple timber-frame’ method and with that Frank Lloyd Wright influence looming large across it. But this isn’t some kind of pastiche. This is a house with its own personality.

Extensive glazing framing some lovely views across the garden, wooden floors, the beams, the pillars, built-in furnishings, wooden floors, flowing open space and the black and white colour scheme. There is much to appreciate here.

Love that roof overhang and the splash of blue on the exterior too. Sometimes little touches can have a big impact.

In terms of the layout, that works around a central open-plan dining room and kitchen, with the bedrooms at one side of the house and the living areas found at the opposite end.

The main entrance is under an enclosed porchway, leading through to the ‘wide and generous’ hallway. As I said, the open-plan dining room with sliding glazed doors is at the heart of the house, taking up the length of one wall and in summer (or whenever the sun is shining), the entire space can be opened out onto the garden.

Opposite the dining room is the kitchen, which has full-height walls of purpose-built shelving on either side of the space, with a long and narrow utility area concealed behind a partition wall.

Off the central corridor is the master bedroom, described as a ‘large light-filled room’ with in-built storage and an en-suite bathroom. There are three more bedrooms too, all with views of the garden, along with a family bathroom on the same side of the house.

Finally, the living room, which is organised around a central seating area with an original open fireplace at one side and a study (or workshop), which also looks out across the garden and as such, is a great spot to work.
As for the outside space, there is a decked terrace bordering the house and beyond that, the substantial and private garden.

That garden is largely lawn with borders, with a number of specimen trees included within the boundary. The front garden area links to the long footpath which leads directly onto the sought-after location of Hills Avenue. The front of the house also has a paved area for off-street parking.

Note that the house has planning permission previously granted to extend the house, which is something to consider further down the line. But for now, consider the asking price, which has just been reduced to £1,195,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.