Category: Architecture

If the recently-featured Rodriguez House wasn't quite your thing, maybe you'll appreciate another classic property from the same era – the John Lautner-designed Schaffer Residence in Glendale, California.

Designed by Lautner back in 1949 and apparently sold fully restored to its original late 40s glory, the Schaffer Residence,  located in a wooded valley at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains, is made of redwood, concrete and glass and very much open plan, bringing the surrounding nature into your home if you like. Indeed, with all that wood panelling, you'll think you were in the woods each and every morning.

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A very cool house with a great pedigree and a pile of period features – the Rodriguez House in Glendale, California could be yours, but only if you have a serious stash of cash put away.

Designed by Rudolph Schindler, a former colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright for writer/composer Jose Rodriguez in 1941, this is a stunning modernist meets mid-century property that was built with a bigger budget than Schindler was used to, which means premium finishes including Santa Maria stone, green-flecked slate, clear Douglas fir, cypress, zinc and copper repoussée panels, built-in furniture, and extensive walls of glass. Lots of period features still survive too, including the original shape/design, distinctive windows and two modernist fireplaces.

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A modern(ist) house in a rural setting just outside St. Ives, this Edward Paynter-designed Lelant house could be the perefct house if you fancy a move to the country – and if you have the money to buy it.

Paynter designed the house for himself in the late 60s to make the most of the local views and according to the house details, has been 'sympathetically maintained to a high standard by the current owner', which is always a good thing. Sat on a half acre plot, the house has a distincive design that incorporates a first floor sun terrace and floor-to-ceiling glazing in the principal rooms, along with an L-shaped living area, a double height section and a concrete-poured fireplace. As you would expect from a top-end architect, the detailing and working materials are second to none, including slate floors, timber ceilings.

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Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1966 and now Grade II-listed, Prestwood house in Great Missenden, Bucks could be yours if you have a large nest egg hidden away.

It's a very distinctive house, designed by Peter Aldington and set on a tranquil 3/4 acre plot, the house is largely unchanged today, with the exception of an added glass pavilion that contains a swimming pool. Which means you still have that large reception room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto a long balcony with distant views of the Chilterns. All of that and just 45 minutes by train to London.

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A special house that needs a special amount of money to secure it – Greenridges in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

Originally built as a wedding present from a Lancashire housebuilder to his daughter, it caught the attention of the national press, winning the Daily Mail Home of the Year in 1936 as well as appearing in Architects’ Journal as ‘The House of the Future’ – a copy of that magazine can still be found in the house.

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