"An expanse of wall-to-wall glazing connects to the outside space and sliding glazed doors open to the garden beneath a timber pergola."
Wonderfully refined and of significant architectural note, this six-bedroom house on coveted Ornan Road was originally built as one of a pair in 1970 to a design by eminent architect John Winter. It extends to approximately 2,138 sq ft including the two garages (one integral), and has off-street parking and extremely private walled gardens at the front and rear.
There is gated access via the front courtyard garden and driveway. On the right is a garage. Entry is through a covered porch to a hallway with kitchen on the left and WC on the right. Ahead is the living and dining room which has sapele flooring and extends the full width of the house. An expanse of wall-to-wall windows connects to the outside space and sliding glazed doors open beneath a timber pergola to a paved terrace. From here steps ascend through the rising landscaped garden to a second garage, accessed from Belsize Lane.
The aspect is south east/north-west with light permeating the extensive front glazing through much of the day. There are four bedrooms on the first floor and two bathrooms, one exclusive to the master bedroom through a dressing area. On the second floor are two large bedrooms, one with en-suite shower, and a store room. In both rooms glazed aluminium-framed bi-fold doors open to a rear-facing terrace with perforated steel balustrade.
Externally, the house is clad in white ceramic mosaic tiles. It shows Winter’s typically rational approach to structure and construction: the organisation of the interior develops from the geometry of the three structural bays on the main façades.
Originally consisting of two stories, the current architect owner added a third to the house in 2004 and has since drawn plans for a ground floor extension. In 2009 the exterior was insulated and re-mosaiced, and the house was rewired throughout. At the same time all the windows were replaced with double glazing.
Although generally in good condition, the house would benefit from updating in places. Its sister house, also by Winter, was sold by The Modern House in 2017 having been extended and renovated by Adjaye Associates in 2002.
The house is located a short walk from the shops and restaurants in Belsize Village. The Underground is available at Belsize Park (Northern Line) Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line) and Finchley Road (Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines). Hampstead Village and the vast open spaces of Hampstead Heath are easily accessible to the north. Many of London’s best independent schools are within walking distance of the house.
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
John Winter (1930-2012) studied at the Architectural Association in the 1950s, and after national service attended Yale. In San Francisco he worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill as well as Charles Eames (Winter had a personal collection of Eames furniture). Eventually returning to England, he worked for Ernö Goldfinger and lectured at the Architectural Association before setting up his own practice. Winter carried out a number of elegant residential projects in the 1960s and ‘70s, most notably his own house overlooking Highgate Cemetery, a rectilinear structure clad in Corten steel. Late in his career he took a detailed interest in the restoration and conservation of some of Britain’s most avant-garde International Style properties, including Six Pillars in Dulwich and High Cross House in Dartington, Devon.
