Manor Way
Holyport, Berkshire
Architect: Foggo & Thomas
Register for similar homesInspire me“Part of a group of three of the finest architect-designed houses in the UK, designed in the late 1960s by leading architects Foggo and Thomas”
This exceptional five-bedroom, single storey house was designed in the early 1960s by acclaimed architects Peter Foggo and David Thomas. Located on a small private estate in the heart of Holyport, a sought-after Berkshire village, the house has a steel frame construction with the structure clearly expressed both inside and out. The strong horizontal planes of floor and roof-line are emphasised by the exceptional transparency of the elevations, a result of the remarkable 60:40 glass-to-wall ratio. Private landscaped gardens surround the house, extending to approximately half an acre.
For more information on the architects, see the History section below.
The Tour
The house is one of three designed by Foggo & Thomas in the immediate area. All of the houses occupy an incredibly private position, completely hidden from view behind a gated entrance. This is the largest of the three, with over 3,530 sq ft of internal living space arranged in a predominantly open-plan layout.
Standing on eight pilotis almost one metre above the grounds, the primary entrance is accessed via a flight of steps flanked by an expanse of full-height glazing, which invites natural light to flood in throughout the day. The house is replete with original details including timber-clad walls and ceilings, sliding pocket doors and slim timber floorboards underfoot. Floor to ceiling glazing throughout ensures a distinct visual relationship with the surrounding gardens and a lush, verdant outlook from every room.
The flexible internal space is arranged in a modular layout, which could easily be reconfigured. An exceptional open-plan living space spans the entire length of the easterly side of the plan, while a contemporary kitchen, library/study and well-sized utility space are all positioned centrally. The five bedrooms lie in the westerly wing.
Adjacent to the main house lies an annexe and garage, which offer further scope for overflow accommodation, or would work equally well as a home workspace or studio.
Outdoor Space
The beautifully landscaped private gardens have been carefully developed and maintained by the current owners over several years. They seamlessly wrap around the house and are primarily laid to lawn, with mature trees and hedges marking the boundary and providing excellent privacy. A series of sun terraces offer a variety of inviting areas to eat outside in the warmer months.
The Area
Holyport is a sought-after location, not just for its rural and tranquil setting. It is close to a number of highly regarded pubs and restaurants and has excellent road links to central London. The George on the Green and The Belgian Arms on Holyport’s village green are well known for the quality of their food and drink. The village has a butcher, pharmacy, doctor’s surgery, post office and primary school. The Eton-sponsored Holyport College has recently opened and Braywood Montessori pre-school, as well as Braywick Court Primary School and the brand new Oldfield Primary School, are close by.
The neighbouring village of Bray, less than a mile away, has two Michelin-starred restaurants (The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn) and is one of the world’s top culinary destinations.
The closest large towns to Holyport are Maidenhead (3 miles), Windsor (5 miles), Marlow (9 miles) and Henley (10 miles). Maidenhead provides fast train services to London Paddington (with journey times of approximately 27 minutes at peak time). The town’s Crossrail station is scheduled to be fully operational in 2022 providing further direct links to Central London, the City and Canary Wharf. Holyport’s location is also ideal for international travel with Heathrow a 20-minute car journey away.
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
Peter Foggo (1930-93) and David Thomas set up practice in 1959 after studying architecture together at Liverpool University. They shared a passion for the work of Mies van der Rohe and once even persuaded the legendary architect to travel to Merseyside to talk to the students.
Between 1959 and 1965, they designed a number of private houses as Peter Foggo and David Thomas Architects which are among the few buildings in Britain that stand comparison with the celebrated ‘Case Study Houses’ of Richard Neutra, Charles & Ray Eames and Craig Elwood which were built in California between 1945 and 1960. Subsequently, both architects became directors of Arup Associates; Foggo in particular became known for the 1985 Broadgate development in the City of London, whilst David Thomas provided a significant contribution towards the transformation of Hong Kong’s infrastructure as Head of Arup’s Hong Kong practice.
