Holyport
Nr. Bray, Berks
Architect: Foggo & Thomas
Register for similar homesThis property, located on a private road in the sought-after village of Holyport, Berkshire, is one of a group of three of the finest architect-designed houses in the UK. Designed in the late 1960s by the architects Peter Foggo and David Thomas, these houses are of steel frame, glass and wood construction much in the manner of the famous Californian ‘Case Study’ houses of Richard Neutra, Charles Eames and Craig Ellwood. Foggo has also stated that Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth house also provided inspiration for their low-rise design.
The three-bedroom house has approx 2,000 sq ft of internal space and although it has been structurally well maintained by the current owners (the roof was resurfaced in 2000), it could benefit from internal updating. In recent years, a number of the ‘H-houses’ – as these Foggo and Thomas houses are known due to the shape of their plan – have been remodelled to stunning effect. The property also has an attractive garden, a double garage and a private drive. It is located in a conservation area on Green Belt land.
Holyport is a sought-after location due its excellent road links to central London (it is a few minutes drive from the J8 of the M4) and its proximity to a number of highly regarded pubs and restaurants. Bray, with two Michelin-starred restaurants (The Fat Duck and the Waterside Inn), is one of the world’s top culinary destinations. The George on the Green and the Belgian Arms in Holyport are also well known for the quality of their food and drink. Holyport also has a butcher, pharmacy, post office, a primary school and doctor’s surgery.
The closest large town to Holyport is Maidenhead (three miles away), which offers a range of shopping and dining opportunities and a train service to London Paddington (with journey times of approximately 25 minutes at peak times). The area is also due to have a number of Crossrail stations with further direct links to central London. For a map click here.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
The Holyport houses were an early project for a pair of young architects who went on to become directors at Arup Associates and later to establish their own successful practices.
Peter Foggo and David Thomas met whilst studying architecture in Liverpool in the 1950s. The pair of them came together over a passion for the work of Mies van der Rohe, (indeed they even once persuaded the legendary architect to travel to Merseyside to give a talk to students).
Foggo and Thomas designed the Holyport houses in their spare time as both were then working in other architectural offices. It is said that they came home from their day jobs and spent between 8pm and midnight working on other architectural projects for themselves, such as this one. Another house designed by Foggo & Thomas at around this time, ‘Sorrel House’ near Chichester, is now Grade II* listed.
Foggo and Thomas both went on to work with Ove Arup at Arup Associates. Foggo, who sadly died in 1993, was largely responsible for the celebrated design of the Broadgate complex in the City of London. Foggo’s colleagues at Arup Associates – Philip Dowson, Ronald Hobbs and Derek Sugden – wrote the following about Foggo in a 1994 edition of Building Design:
“His work is marked by its clarity and directness, which was also the nature of his character. The plans and the sections of his buildings were always ordered and structured, both in concept as well as practical reality. Rigour in analysis and rationalism in practice invested all that he did and is perhaps the hallmark of his work”.
The Holyport houses are three of a number of ‘H-houses’ (so named because of the shape of their plans) designed by Foggo and Thomas. In a 1994 edition of the Architects Journal, Barrie Evans wrote the following about the houses:
‘[The houses] comprise a series of braced steel trusses supported from eight stanchion columns, with timber-frame walls, floors and roof slung between. This is supplemented with large areas of plate glass. The ‘H’-shaped plan is made up of a central service core, opening onto front and rear terraces, with living and bedroom wings flanking on either side. “
To see images of other H-houses please click here.
