Spence House - Sir Basil Spence

1961. Some would say the golden era for architectural beauty. A defining, grounding moment for homes to show some grit. Where an era dared not meddle with the bold - some did just that. Sir Basil did just that. Along with accomplice structural engineer Ove Arup and landscape artist Sylvia Crowe resides a home built on the edges of silt, against mischievous river waves and a congregation of evergreen timber - the architectural rectory of Sir Basil. Spence House.

Despite Basil's criticism over his career his crusade continued regardless. In Edinburgh and in Coventry. In Rome and in Hampshire. Alongside other locations that still host his work today. His work was dense. Pewter in colour. His hand heavy. Unforgiving of the ornate that preceded the war. Yet, there was a moment where his hand lifted. Where the graphite against paper softened. Spence House is the most gentle expression of his brutalist nature.

John Pardey saw this. So much so, he wrote a letter to the former custodians. Expressing his own romance with the home and his gratitude for its creator. Shortly after, John partnered with Spence himself. In his memory. Four decades apart they now share the same story. The contemporary links fingers with the historically bold.

The house itself is less home and more monolith. It may be timber pressed although it seems Basil couldn't help himself but to draw inspiration from his sacred trademark. The cantilevered living space, broad and masculine nods to the British Embassy in Rome. Teetering over man made currents. A white washed brick wall underlines its construction. As if it speaks. Look at me. Cherry drenched timber cladding frame Ove's condensed homage to the residence - a masonry sculpture which also happens to be a fireplace. Pardey's turn - a cylindrical, breathable open tread staircase extension. Coiling around the fabric of the existing building. A linear single storey structure to its elderly neighbour reaching out with a brief glass walkway between Spence and Pardey.

To think the home's destiny was once to rot.

Photography - John Pardey Architects