Grand Designs: ‘Curved House’ For Sale

September 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM Lawrence Hall 1 comment

What do you do when your building plot includes an enormous horse chestnut tree that you’re not allowed to cut down?

Grand Designs devotees will remember that architect Peter Romaniuk and his clients David and Anjana Devoy solved this problem by creating a beautiful curved house that traces the perimeter of the site and extends an elegant, protective arm around the tree and the garden.

The tree provided further inspiration in the form of a timber clad upper floor that was constructed from chestnut wood by a specialist boat builder. The lower floor is walled with glass and leads out onto an enclosed courtyard with the tree as a central feature.

This, I have to say, is one of the most memorable houses in the history of Grand Designs and the sainted McCloud was suitably effusive:

“This is a truly stunning building, adorned with lots of wonderful touches. Despite all their efforts to save money, Anjana and David are indulging their home with the best they can get. And I think it’s worth it. They have space now, and light, and the makings of a home with real excitement…”

It is, indeed, a thing of beauty. If you have £1.5m to spare, Friend & Flacke will be happy to hear from you (Tel:0843 2811 308).