Stillness
Sundridge Park, Kent

SOLD

Architect: Gilbert Booth

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Designed by the architect Gilbert Booth in 1934, ‘Stillness’ is a
stunning detached house, located down a secluded, crescent road.
Lovingly maintained by the present owner, the five-bedroom house offers
generous accommodation, a swimming pool, a roof terrace and mature
gardens to the front and rear. Named ‘Stillness’ in reference to the
serenity of its surroundings, this magnificent house is one of the very
finest remaining examples of 1930s architecture in Britain.

The carefully-composed exterior of ‘Stillness’ is finished in
white-painted textured concrete over rendered brick, accentuated by
black, curved Crittall windows. The interior retains many original
features including an opulent marble fireplace, Tasmanian oak flooring
and corniced ceilings.

‘Stillness’ is Grade-II listed in recognition of Gilbert Booth’s superb
design, which accentuates natural light, space and the richness of the
materials used throughout the interior of the house.

It is situated on Lodge Road, an address well known to scholars of 20th
century architecture due to its unusually high number of houses of
architectural distinction. Lodge Road itself is a quiet, wooded track
in the desirable Sundridge Park district of Bromley. Within a short
distance of Bromley railway station (offering direct links to central
London) and Sundridge Park golf course, ‘Stillness’ enjoys an
advantageous West Kent location.

Sundridge Park, in the borough of Bromley, is only 12 miles from
central London. The area is located on the ‘green belt’ and is rich in
tree-lined streets, woodland areas, parks, fields and golf courses. The
M25 is easily accessible and train links both to London and other areas
of the country are good. There a number of notable schools in the area
and shopping facilities can be found nearby in Chislehurst, Beckenham
and Bromley.

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

‘Stillness’ was designed by the architect Rolfe Gilbert Booth (usually
referred to as Gilbert Booth) in the early 1930s to great acclaim. It
was commissioned by a wealthy Bromley resident, J. B. Parnall. ‘Stillness’ sits among distinguished company on Lodge Road, a notable
stretch that features a number of houses of architectural distinction
including a particularly fine 1935 home by Godfrey Samuel. The house
has been well maintained by a number of occupants since it was first
constructed, not least by the current owner who has furnished it to an
exacting standard with the assistance of Astoria Art Deco of
Leigh-on-Sea.

‘Stillness’ has proved popular with film location finders over the
years and the house recently featuring in the BBC series Randall and
Hopkirk (Deceased).

The house was Grade II listed in 2003 with the Listings Inspector
writing the following report: “I have carefully considered the
architectural and historic interest of this case and in my view the
criteria for listing are fulfilled. ‘Stillness’ is a Moderne Movement
large detached house. It is covered in pebbledash render and is two
storeys with flat sun roof with original metal balustrade. There are
original metal Crittall windows throughout with tiled window ledges.
The entrance front faces North West with one wide and two narrow
windows over the front door, a tall staircase window and plain original
door with horizontal glazing flanked by two windows and original
integral garage L-wing with original double doors and flat canopy
between front door and garage. The house was arranged to take maximum
advantage of a south-westerly aspect with two flat sections at either
end of the house and two full height curved sections in between for
maximum sunlight. There is French window access by steps with metal
handrail into the garden. The interior retains the original layout,
staircase, oak architraves and skirting boards, oak floorboards and the
original servants’ bells. All the original door handles, finger boards,
door locks, window catches, light fittings and switches also survive.
The living room retains and original fireplace with marble surround and
the master bedroom contains an original electric wall fireplace. The
house features in The Modern House Today by Nick Dawe and Kenneth
Powell, 2002, and it is described as ‘powerfully composed and well
detailed’ and also, ‘finely fitted interiors make this perhaps the most
complete and impressive example of its style in Britain’. As a
remarkably intact 1934 Moderne Movement house, ‘Stillness’ meets the
listing criteria.

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