Great Auger Street, Harlow, Essex

Designed by Alistair Howe Architects, this four-bedroom house is cleverly configured to make the most of its verdant outlook. It is comfortably arranged over three floors with a number of contemporary considerations, including underfloor heating and five-amp sockets for gentle, ambient lighting. There is a generous rear garden that has been planted with bamboo and other sculptural plants and grasses, as well as a large garage and driveway with additional parking for two cars. A striking rendered rooftop pavilion tops the house and incorporates two cedar-clad terraces. Great Auger Street is well located for travel into the capital from Harlow station, which runs services to Liverpool Street in 30 minutes.

Environmental Performance

The house has a 'B' EPC rating and was designed with energy efficiency in mind. Environmentally conscious technologies have been incorporated, including underfloor heating with zonal thermostats, a heat exchange ventilation system to ensure the constant flow of fresh air inside the house, a solar array that powers the hot water, and a rain and heat recovery system.

The Tour

Set on the fringes of Newhall, a contemporary housing estate, the house cuts a striking silhouette next to woodland, lush green parkland and vast playing fields. A façade of copper, brickwork, render, cedar wood and glass makes a clear proposition for bold, contemporary living.

The entrance, tucked around to the side, is via a cedar front door. An arterial corridor unfolds beyond, with grey tiling underfoot and soaring ceilings. There is a music/reading room to one side, where a porthole window peeps through bespoke shelving, perfectly sized for vinyl and/or books. To the right is a cloakroom with WC and a large utility room with an access to the garage.

The kitchen and dining room look out to the landscaped garden. When opened, a trio of sliding doors blur the boundaries between inside and out. The kitchen has been wonderfully appointed with grey cabinetry and worktops, a Miele oven and coffee machine, an induction hob and a bold red extractor fan. The island houses a discreet Bosch dishwasher and double sink, and brass overhead lighting hangs above the dining space. There is also a recessed office at the north end of room neatly tucked behind sliding doors, with a desk and a large skylight.

Much consideration has been given to storage: there is a deep cupboard next to the stairs and the living room also has built in storage cupboards. The dual-aspect living room looks out towards the park and woodland opposite the house. Engineered polished walnut flooring brings rich depth to the space. Two equal sized bedrooms sit at the rear of the plan overlooking the garden, both with built-in wardrobes. They also share a neat walk-in shower room.

The open-tread staircase and ribbon windows that track the ascent to the second storey create a wonderfully bright and airy space. Living spaces on this floor are bookended by two terraces. The main bedroom is also on this level, with a large walk-in dressing room and an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower cubicle. The other bedroom is currently used as a gym but would also make a wonderful home office.

Outdoor Space

Special attention has been paid to the landscaping in the garden to create distinct spaces that serve particular functions. A curved wall adds interest and perspective with a square hole balanced within its construct. There is plenty of decking for entertaining as well as a water feature and abundant palm trees which provide shade and privacy.

A large garage sits next to the space, with parking outside for two cars.

The Area

Harlow was one of several new towns built under the New Towns Act of 1946, passed after World War II to ease overcrowding in London and offer a vision of modern living. Sir Frederick Gibberd intended Harlow to be an outstanding example of the comfortable marriage of town and country, with lots of well-integrated open space to separate residential neighbourhoods and commercial zones.

There are some fantastic independent cafés, pubs and restaurants nearby, notably Griffin Café, The Rainbow and Dove, New Ground Café and Mui and Koko Noodle Bar. Just a 10-minute drive away is The Gibberd Garden, a beautiful Grade II-listed landscaped garden created by Sir Frederick Gibberd and his wife Patricia. With their former home of nearly 50 years at its centre, the garden comprises lawns, woodland and their personal collection of modern sculpture and architectural pieces, with a tearoom and a lively programme comprising music, theatre, art and writing events throughout the warmer months.

An expanse of green pasture lies in front of the home and provides walking and cycling access to Harlow Common Woods and Latton Woods, which has mature pines, an older broadleaf wood and primroses in spring. Parndon Wood Nature Reserve is less than a 15-minute drive away, which has two beautiful walking trails, a café and a centre for children's activities. Sunset Sessions is a series of open-air music events that take place here throughout the summer months.

With easy access to the M11, north London is less than one hour's drive away. Stratford Westfield is around 40 minutes by car and Canary Wharf is around a 45-minutes’ drive. Central Line services run from Epping station, a 20-minute drive from the house, and Harlow Town Station runs Stansted Express services to London Liverpool Street in 30 minutes. Stansted International Airport is less than 20 minutes away by car.

Council Tax Band: G