Torriano Cottages, Torriano Avenue, London, NW5

An exceptional example of the mid-century modern movement, Torriano Cottages was designed and built in 1967 by the architect and artist Philip Pank as a lifelong home for himself and his family. Its enchanting position at the end of an unmade lane in Kentish Town is a rare situation indeed, and its design, inspired by the secret courtyards of Peking and the traditional modular houses of Japan, combine to create one of the most contemplative and soul-enriching private homes, arguably in all of London. Most recently, planning permission has now been granted for a design by Coppin Dockray Architects to refurbish, extend and sensitively usher the home into modernity.

The house was listed Grade II in 2014 for its ingenuity, versatility, and beauty among its many other assets, not least its endearing lack of pretentiousness. In 2024, the current owner appointed the brilliant Coppin Dockray Architects, whose impressive roster of works include their award-winning work on Jorn Utzon's Ahm House, to restore, refurbish and extend the house in line with Pank's earlier intentions and for the comforts of contemporary living. These plans include the extension of the studio space to create a new first-floor level and the installation of a swimming pool in the east garden.

Born in 1933, Philip Pank was raised in India, returned to England for his education, and eventually studied at the Architectural Association under Leonard Manasseh and Jim Stirling. His contemporaries included Peter Ahrends, Richard Burton, Paul Koralek and Ted Cullinan. Pank went on to establish his own practice in 1965 with Rob Howard, designing several social buildings and several celebrated private houses; many around Hampstead Heath.

Pank's work was greatly influenced by Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, and the focus on natural materials within Torriano Cottages is particularly emblematic of the latter. The primary structure and resulting palette is a fair-faced Crowborough brick for walls and a timber frame in Jarrah; a particularly strong Australian hardwood. Both are left satisfyingly exposed inside and are complemented with joinery and excellent built-in furniture in the same timber.

Now embedded in the natural elements of four garden spaces, the house was originally built in two phases. The first was a C-shape of connecting rooms arranged around a stunning Japanese-inspired courtyard garden, in which a sweet chestnut now proudly stands. Looking across the garden at one another are the kitchen/dining room and the living room with its open fireplace. Bedrooms line the western wall, lit by roof lights in the garden and room above, and by glazing to the southern garden.

The second phase incorporated a new studio and bedroom suite to the east with access to an acquired garden. Awarding pièce de résistance to any one element of the house would be a task, though this mono-pitched expanse of exposed beams, roof lights, and soaring glazing would undoubtedly be high on the list.

There are four garden spaces; namely the central courtyard, the garden beyond the southern entrance, the eastern garden where the pool and pergola are proposed and the roof garden which gives such a unique standing to the whole. Each has been given attention in the proposals to designs by landscaping studio, Jane Brockbank.

Nearby

Torriano Cottages is situated just off Leighton Road, on a quiet, private residential mews established around 1860 on the garden plots of two early Victorian villas. The house is close to the fantastic high streets of Kentish Town Road and Fortress Road, with their many independent shops, pubs, and restaurants. The Parakeet, Salvino, Bread by Bike, and the Japanese restaurant, Kami are a few worthy mentions.

To the south are Camden, for The Jazz Café and The Roundhouse among many other offerings, and Kings Cross, easily reached along York Way for Coal Drops Yard and audiophile bar Spiritland.

Hampstead Heath, with its open greenery, swimming ponds and Parliament Hill Lido, is also conveniently close.

Kentish Town Underground station is within ten minutes' walk and runs Northern Line and Thameslink services for fast access to the centre of London, Farringdon, and the City. Kentish Town West Overground is also close for direct lines to Highbury & Islington, Hackney Central, and Richmond.