This superb Modern house was built in 1965 on a stunning site with views over the Truro River for the architect Giles Blomfield. Accommodation includes four bedrooms, a spectacular living room and a cantilevered balcony above extensive gardens. The current owners have made some careful renovations of the property in recent years and many original features remain.
The house was built in a former apple orchard in the pretty hamlet of Calenick. Calenick lies only one mile from the cathedral city of Truro and close to the historic port of Falmouth. The site is approximately 3/4 of an acre in size and includes a lawn area, numerous exotic shrubs and trees, and extensive terracing.
Giles Blomfield designed the house for himself, his wife (an interior designer) and their five children. He and fellow architect Michael Witham purchased two neighbouring plots and designed their own houses (indeed Witham still lives in his house), with Blomfield’s house, in particular, attracting widespread attention. The house won an R.I.B.A. medal, was featured on BBC television as an example of a cutting-edge home and was published widely in architecture journals. One journal particularly points out the design of the house in relation to the surrounding natural environment:
“The disposition of the rooms was dictated by wanting to get views toward the river for everyone, sun in the morning in the dining room and south and west light in the living room… It was important to have the easiest possible links between indoors and outdoors”.
The design was clearly inspired by the works of European architects, in particular Marcel Breuer. Although born in Cornwall, Blomfield studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. In his early career he worked for the celebrated Modern architect Erno Goldfinger in London before returning to Cornwall to work for John Crowther.
Calenick is in what is considered to be one of the most attractive coastal areas of Cornwall with towns and villages such as Mylor, St. Mawes, St. Just in Roseland all nearby. Truro is a thriving small city with a wide range of shops, restaurants and services. It also has a direct train service to London Paddington.
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.
