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A 1960s Brutalist Townhouse in London, Revived with Lush Greenery and Modern Minimalism

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A 1960s Brutalist Townhouse in London, Revived with Lush Greenery and Modern Minimalism

Johan Dehlin January 5, 2024

As a London-based architect, Dingle Price frequently renovates Georgian and Victorian homes, so he and his Pricegore cofounder Alex Gore were particularly piqued by the opportunity to reimagine a 1960s Brutalist townhouse. “There was not a huge amount of private modernist development in London, so that was exciting,” he tells us. “With these homes, you tend to get more open-plan living, windows that are horizontal rather than vertical, and much bigger areas of glazing, so the the light tends to be very different. It also gives a more public way of living. You’re putting your life on show.”

The two considered all these Brutalist qualities during the remodel, but also took into account the property’s history. Before the current building was constructed, the land was host to split-level Victorian terraced houses, so the foundation was quite deep. “That meant we could excavate the floor about a meter and a half quite easily to get this extra head height,” Dingle says. “If you normally tried to do that, you’d have to do all sorts of complicated structural things. Before, the ground floor had ceiling heights of about 2.5 meters, and now it’s about 3.6.”

This additional volume makes a major difference on the ground level, which features an airy, minimalist kitchen, dining, and living area and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at the jungly garden. The juxtaposition of clean lines and concrete with lush, tropical greenery evokes mid-century Brazil rather than regal England—which is exactly the magic of the house: It transports you to another world.

Let’s take a tour.

Photography by Johan Dehlin.

dingle and alex worked within the original confines of the structure, so the iv 17
Above: Dingle and Alex worked within the original confines of the structure, so the ivy-covered facade remained intact. “Every single brick is an existing brick going back to the sixties,” Dingle says. “We haven’t changed the quality of the building or its presence on the street almost at all.”
the only exterior update was to the back garden, where pricegore constructed an 18
Above: The only exterior update was to the back garden, where Pricegore constructed an extension and collaborated with their friends at FFLO on wild, leafy landscaping.
inside, the duo opted for concrete floors and lime plaster walls. &#8\2\20; 19
Above: Inside, the duo opted for concrete floors and lime plaster walls. “That’s a finish that is breathable, which is important for the environmental quality of the building,” Dingle says. “It also has a very beautiful color and texture and a sort of softness. It’s completely unpainted.”
a cylindrical column accentuates the height of the space. &#8\2\20;it&# 20
Above: A cylindrical column accentuates the height of the space. “It’s not essential in terms of structure, but we felt it was essential in terms of proportion for the room,” notes Dingle. “It’s really a spatial device to make everything feel a bit more vertical. And the ledge is bench height. There’s lots of plants on it, but it’s also designed that you might sit on it or use it instead of a coffee table. You can open those windows and feel like you’re almost in the garden.”
pricegore incorporated a circular skylight to brighten the sitting area. &# 21
Above: Pricegore incorporated a circular skylight to brighten the sitting area. “If you make it round, as opposed to rectangular, it feels a bit more free,” says Dingle. “It’s got its own geometry, rather than something that is matching the shape of the room. It also has a sort of celestial quality, like a sun or a moon or a planet, which seems appropriate for something that is engaging the sky.”
the adjacent kitchen pairs a concrete backsplash and counters with ribbed putty 22
Above: The adjacent kitchen pairs a concrete backsplash and counters with ribbed putty-pink cabinetry for a bit of color.
for the dining zone, the homeowners sourced a vintage modernist table. 23
Above: For the dining zone, the homeowners sourced a vintage modernist table.
dingle and alex choose beech wood for the millwork throughout the home because  24
Above: Dingle and Alex choose beech wood for the millwork throughout the home because it dyes easily. In the lower part of the staircase, they painted the beadboard a rich green. “The material of the house is generally quite restrained in color, and the one area we tried to introduce color was in the various bits of joinery,” says Dingle.
the stairs change from concrete to reclaimed pine, the walls from green beadboa 25
Above: The stairs change from concrete to reclaimed pine, the walls from green beadboard to lime plaster, and the handrail from thin black metal to thick rounded timber as the elevation rises.
in a living area on the first level, floor to ceiling windows look out at a ver 26
Above: In a living area on the first level, floor-to-ceiling windows look out at a verdant view; note also the cylindrical column and concrete bench that mirror the ones below. This time, however, the flora resides on the roof of the extension. “Those tall plants and grasses are designed to improve the privacy to the room; it’s quite a dense part of London, and the houses tend to look over each other,” Dingle explains.
the open primary suite is located on the top floor. &#8\2\20;the bathroom i 27
Above: The open primary suite is located on the top floor. “The bathroom is connected to the bedroom by a very big sliding door, at least two meters wide, so that 90 percent of the time you’d never shut that sliding door,” Dingle says. “The bath, the sink, and everything are very much part of the space.”
beyond the bathroom, the dressing room features crisp white closets. &#8\2\ 28
Above: Beyond the bathroom, the dressing room features crisp white closets. “There was something quite refreshing about coming to the top floor and stripping it back to this almost studio-like white space, which has lovely natural light and framed views of tree canopies,” Dingle adds. “It feels informal and pretty relaxed.”

For more on the project, head to Pricegore. And for more modern projects in London:

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Frequently asked questions

What is the location of the Pricegore Townhouse in London?

The Pricegore Townhouse is located in London, United Kingdom.

What is the architectural style of Pricegore Townhouse?

The Pricegore Townhouse showcases a brutalist modern architectural style.

What can you find inside the Pricegore Townhouse?

The Pricegore Townhouse features a variety of refined and contemporary interiors, including open-plan living areas, modern kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a rooftop garden.

Are there any unique design elements in the Pricegore Townhouse?

Yes, the townhouse boasts unique design elements like bespoke wooden staircases, large windows for ample natural light, and a striking interior courtyard.

Can visitors access the Pricegore Townhouse?

No, the Pricegore Townhouse is only accessible for private tours and events. It is not open to the general public.

Is the Pricegore Townhouse available for rent or purchase?

The availability for rent or purchase is not mentioned in the article. It is recommended to contact the relevant real estate agents or owners for further information.

Are there any nearby amenities or attractions?

The article does not specifically mention nearby amenities or attractions in relation to the Pricegore Townhouse. However, being located in London, it is likely to be surrounded by various amenities, cultural attractions, and places of interest.

Where can I find more information or images of the Pricegore Townhouse?

For more information and images of the Pricegore Townhouse, you can visit the official website of Pricegore or search for it on architectural and design websites.

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