Cornworthy
Totnes, Devon

SOLD

Architect: Murray Church

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This remarkable residence is situated in the historic South Hams village of Cornworthy and was designed by the well-respected architect Murray Church for his own occupation in 2003.

Externally the house – built from Devon stone by two local craftsmen – resembles traditional barn buildings of the area but internally the spaces are light, largely open plan and engagingly dynamic. The key rooms are two voluminous living areas on the two floors, the larger of which is notable for its beautiful, undulating timber ceiling (much inspired by Scandinavian architects such as Alvar Aalto).

The ground floor, aside from the living room, which forms a semi-open plan space with the kitchen / dining room, features an entrance lobby (with a utility room and WC / cloakroom off it) and a bedroom with en suite bathroom.

Stairs lead down to the lower ground floor which again centres on a reception room with full height glazing. There are also three further bedrooms and a family bathroom and sauna on this floor. The internal area of the house measures approximately 237 sq m (2,550 sq ft). It is underfloor heated throughout, which is powered by an energy efficient geothermal heat pump with solar thermal domestic hot water.

The house sits on a site of approximately 3⁄4 acre which includes a landscaped rear garden, sun terrace, courtyard gardens and a wildflower meadow, approximately 40m x 20m in size, which could potentially be used as a paddock. An integral car port, which accommodates up to three cars, can be found to the side of the main building and there is also a garden store and greenhouse.

Murray Church is an experienced London-born architect who has spent much of his working life in mainland Europe. He has designed terminal buildings at some of the Continentʼs major airports as well as designing Jeddah airport in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps his most celebrated project, however, was the work that he did in Munich for the 1972 Olympic Games. For more information see the History section.

Cornworthy is a picturesque village in the sought-after South Hams area of Devon that dates back to Saxon times. Much of the village forms part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It benefits from a pub and a village hall. The coastal towns of Dittisham and Dartmouth are close by and provide excellent opportunities for marine activities and some of the UKʼs best seafood restaurants (such as The Seahorse). Totnes is also a short drive away – an attractive and vibrant town, it also has a railway station that provides direct services to London Paddington in under three hours.

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

Murray Church is a London-born architect who has spent much of his life working in Germany and Luxembourg and has contributed to projects across the World. His work in Germany is perhaps most notable as partner in charge at Heinle, Wischer and Partners and designed the Olympic Village for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, subject of a recent book “Das Olympische Dorf München” by Dr. Natalie Heger.

The distinctive ziggurat accommodation blocks were architecturally innovative and beautifully designed. They also became the backdrop for the notorious hostage incident involving the Palestinian group Black September and eleven Israeli athletes.

Other projects completed by Church include Jeddah Airport, T2 at Budapest Airport, T1 at Warsaw Airport, the European Office of Statistics in Luxembourg and many other substantial buildings.

The house in Cornworthy was designed by Church as a country base and is one of only a very few number of projects that he has completed in the UK.

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