Welwyn Garden City II
Hertfordshire

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Architect: Gordon Nettleton

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This outstanding example of a Mid Century Modern house was originally designed in the early 1960s by the architect Gordon Nettleton for his own occupation. It has been extensively refurbished and extended with great care and attention to detail by the architect Ian David.

The fantastically light four-bedroom property can be found on a quiet cul-de-sac in a favoured part of Welwyn Garden City. It has a large garden that borders onto woodland. Nearby Welwyn North station (less then fifteen minutes walk) runs services into London King’s Cross in under twenty minutes.

The house is entered via a hallway that is notable for the new bespoke joinery that creates an impressive storage space. There is a utility area off the entrance hall. Also on the ground floor is a living room, kitchen / dining room and a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

The kitchen has been created by David in collaboration with the renowned company Tintab. The master bedroom is an entirely new space and features full height glazing and high standard of fittings.

On the first floor are three further bedrooms and a bathroom.

To the front of the house is a lawned garden area as well as a short driveway that provides off-street parking. To the rear is a large, lawned garden that overlooks local woodland.

David’s recent refurbishment has been something of a labour of love (the same Swiss roofing material as originally specified by Nettleton has been used for the extension for instance). Although almost all the old systems have been replaced – new windows throughout, underfloor heating added, new boiler, new electrics and insulated floor slabs to name but a few – David has ensured that all the finest original details and forms remain. Nettleton’s original palette of materials is still very much in evidence with the iroko wood staircase, London Stock brick and Lignacite construction. To learn more about Nettleton, and David, see the History section.

The house is situated in a favoured West Side location within close proximity of Welwyn Garden City town centre. There are a range of independent and chain shops in the centre (including John Lewis, Waitrose and M&S) as well as restaurants, pubs and other facilities. The closest train station to the property is Welwyn North (under fifteen minutes walk). Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North stations both offer fast and frequent mainline services into London King’s Cross and Moorgate. Journey times range between 18 and 34 minutes. Renowned local primary and secondary schooling is within walking distance while Gosling Sports Park and local sports clubs are nearby.

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

Gordon Nettleton, like many of the best architects of his generation, working for much of his career for the local authority. His experiences as an architect were mostly in the educational sector, although he did design a number of homes internationally. Nettleton spent his early career working for Maxwell Fry, a British pioneer of Modern Architecture (who worked extensively with Le Corbusier), before going on to work for the noted Hertfordshire County Council Architects’ Department.

The interior of this house, in particular, reflects Nettleton’s interest in the work of the great Modern architect Le Corbusier and specifically his Modulor system of harmonious proportions. Nettleton has commented that Le Corbusier’s 1923 house for his parents, Villa Le Lac in Switzerland, proved an important reference point when creating his own family home.

Ian David, who currently works with the renowned London-based practice Rodić Davidson, is a specialist in high-end residential architecture. He was trained at the Bartlett and has worked on many award-winning projects.


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