Born in New Zealand, Amyas Connell (1901-80) arrived in Europe in the 1920s to study in Rome. In 1925 he visited Paris where he was inspired by the work of Le Corbusier; his colleague Basil Ward commented that “his work stirred us greatly, so clear was it in its intention and so uncompromising in its execution.” Connell’s first residential project in England was High & Over, a country house in Buckinghamshire. The modern building with minimal decoration helped to compound his reputation. In 1933 he formed a partnership with Ward and Colin Lucas, which lasted until 1939: the three worked separately on various projects and in 1964 were awarded a RIBA Bronze Medal.