Midcentury modern A-frame house in Cranbrook, Kent
An unusual find, especially in this condition. I love this midcentury modern A-frame house in Cranbrook, Kent.
Unusual because the A-frame houses I tend to see seem to be in the US. But they do come up in the UK now and then, and I suspect you will struggle to find one looking as period-perfect as the one here.
Yes, there are some updates, but they jump out because there are so few of them. The kitchen, of course, maybe an upgrade of the windows too. But very little beyond that.
I don’t know for sure when this was built, but I would guess it dates from the early-to-mid 1960s. Certainly within the midcentury modern era. But the A-frame has been around much longer.
It has been used for centuries worldwide, but there was a time in the 20th century when this design became quite hip. According to Modern House, Rudolph Schindler’s 1934 design ‘established the fundamentals of the form’, with post-war architects pushing the idea into the mainstream. At least for a shirt time.
Very much in keeping with the midcentury modern era, the A-frame looked ‘new’ and pushed the idea of light and space. Yes, there are some practicality issues with the A-frame. But even today, this is a design with impact. A house that gets noticed.
Talking of the midcentury modern era, a number of features within this A-frame house have been preserved. Admittedly, this is a house that will need work and investment to bring it back to its best. But the backdrop of this one is largely untouched. In short, this should be a dream project for someone. If you can live in a triangular house.
Those original details are plentiful. The architecture itself, not to mention a rather lovely front door. Inside you have the wood ceilings, the beams, the staircase, the ex[posed brick, the original lighting, built-in storage, original doors and, of course, that wonderful fireplace.
There’s also an original bathroom, but I suspect someone will be looking to replace that with something a little more practical. Maybe not? Who knows. It’s all down to taste.
As I said, so much potential here and something of a blank canvas. Of course, a survey will determine the work required in terms of structure. But with the right decorative finishes and some furnishings of the era, this could look amazing.
You will find the house in Cranbrook, described as ‘one of Kent’s most picturesque villages’, with nearby Staplehurst providing mainline trains into London in an hour. So rural, with access to the capital.
It is accessed by a large, gravelled driveway, with hedges and the garage concealing the house from the road.
The exterior has horizontal wooden cladding and expansive windows, which boost the light within. There’s also a wide balcony to take in the views and your long garden. More on that in a moment.
But for now, head into the front door to the side and into the wide hallway, which also hosts the pine staircase leading to the first floor. As you have no doubt worked out; the main living space is above rather than below to take advantage of the views.
On the upper floor of the A-frame are the living room and kitchen, with two distinct zones separated by the stairwell. The main seating area sits beside wide metal-framed, sliding doors, which open out to a balcony across the full width of the house. As the photos show, views across your garden and way beyond. Ideal for a summer’s evening,
And when the temperatures drop, head inside and take advantage of the well-preserved Wendell Lovett fireplace, which provides not only warmth but also a focal point to any midcentury modern property.
At the other end of the room, large Velux windows add light to the dining area, with the mezzanine above, which is currently accessed via a traditional ladder. But there’s obviously potential for expansion there beyond a simple storage area.
The kitchen, too, has been updated in the fairly recent past and with full-width glazing overlooking the driveway. A breakfast bar sits underneath another Velux window.
Head downstairs in this A-frame, and you might be surprised to hear that there are four large double bedrooms, two facing the garden and two facing the driveway. Each bedroom has ‘generous’ built-in storage, while the main bedroom has sliding doors to access a patio in the garden. Two bathrooms finish off the layout.
The outdoor space is also a pull, with a 190 ft garden stretching out at the rear of the house, flanked by established privet hedges. The agent mentioned that this would make a ‘brilliant football pitch’, an idea I am definitely on board with. But others might just want to add in some extra landscaping.
A lovely A-frame house and, although not for everyone, is likely to find an appreciative buyer. If that’s you, the price for this one is £695,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
