Four post-war houses protected following English Heritage advice

Architecture minister John Penrose has listed four post-war houses in Cambridge that were designed by architects teaching at the university.

They are 39 New Road, Barton, designed by Barry Gasson and John Meunier in 1965; 214 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, designed by Marcial Echenique in 1971; and 72 and 74 Water Lane, Histon, designed by David Thurlow in 1972.

All have been listed at grade II.

Tony Calladine, English Heritage’s designation team leader for the east of England, described the four as “nationally outstanding buildings for their innovative, intellectual and ambitious approach to low-cost family housing”.

He also praised their striking use of simple brick or timber construction and open plans.

“They have the remarkable connection that their designers all taught at the Cambridge School of Architecture at the time the houses were designed,” he said.

“The university connection has ensured that Cambridge has the best group of architect-designed modern houses outside London, and these are among the finest surviving examples, joining works already listed by Sir Colin St John Wilson and John Meunier.”

Echenique went on to be head of the school between 2004-8. 

Calladine said 39 New Road was the most ambitious and successful example of its architects’ work. Its exceptional feature was its highly original, spiralling plan within a square footprint.

The Chesterton Road house is timber framed and stands on stilts in a similar system to that developed by Walter Segal. It was a “remarkable” experiment in cheaper, on-site construction methods.

The two houses in Water Lane use cross-wall construction allowing for relatively lightweight and extensively glazed facades and the suspension of the first floor at the centre of the building.