This section is dedicated to a personal favourite of mine, the 3 storey terraced townhouse commonly built in the 1960s & 70s. I am constantly coming across new ones and often surprised at the variety thats out there. Full width picture window glazing and Integrated garages are generally the norm. The integrated garage at the time being a somewhat aspirational thing to have. Today many of these now unwanted integrated garages have been converted to extra living space, mostly into todays aspirational must have, the gigantic open plan kitchen / family room. I will be adding to this section as and when I find new examples….

Image: Blandford Rd, Teddington, London

Blandford Rd, Teddington, London. One of my neighbours in Ham let me know about these fabulous mid century houses over in Teddington. There are several of them on Blandford Rd. I want one! Really nice facade composition and use of materials. Most of them still have their skinny framed aluminium sliding windows. Turns out one was open for Richmond’s “Art House open studios festival” so we got to see inside one. They have a fabulous solid Teak open tread staircase and the weatherboarded section on the top left of the facade has a bathroom behind, lit with a high level strip window and has a semi sunken bath within the cantilevered section. Likely 1960s construction. Architect unknown.

Im just love these townhouses on Jackson’s Lane, Highgate, London, N6. There are 7 of them forming part of the Southwood House Estate, named so because this small estate was built on the triangular site of a former 18th Century house. Brick and concrete construction with those fabulous extra chunky window frames. Balconies to the rear elevation overlooking a communal garden. What were formerly garages have mostly been converted to extra living space. By Andrews, Emerson & Sherlock, 1958-62. I want one!!

On Jackson’s Lane, Highgate N6. Nice houses with integrated garages (some converted to living space) Weatherboard cladding, skinny framed sliding aluminium windows. These original windows sure are a labour of love, cold in winter and prone to condensation. I know as I have lived in a place with them. They look great though! Split pitch roof with clerestory lighting. Some original entrance doors/areas remain. Assumed 1960’s Architect unknown.

Kingsley Place, off Southwood Lane, Highgate N6. A series of cul-de-sac’s with a selection of housing types by Architect’s Co Partnership, 1967. This type comes in 2 & 3 storey versions. Im personally loving this 3 storey one! Restrained Brick and concrete facades with very nice abstractly laid out windows. Some residents have painted the concrete detailing white.

Kingsley Place, off Southwood Lane, Highgate N6. A series of cul-de-sac’s with a selection of housing types by Architect’s Co Partnership, 1967. This is a row of eight stepped and staggered terraced houses on the steepest part of the close

North Several, Orchard Drive, Blackheath, London. By Royston Summers, late 1960s A real little gem of a development, 2 houses on Orchard Drive with a further terrace of 5 houses behind with a communal garden. Access to the rear terrace is from beneath the two on Orchard Drive. The houses are generously proportioned with a huge 1st floor living area. Walls are lined with plywood and there is a beautiful open tread timber staircase that rises through the house like an independent structure. If you want to see inside then go to “the modern house” estate agent site as they have previously sold one. Summers proposed 52 storey council tower blocks for Brixton which were never built. Can you imagine!!

Blackheath, London. Three terraced houses on Foxes Dale opposite the Hall, Blackheath. These are unique and built as experimental Span show homes. Called the T3 House of ideas, 1957. Spatially complex inside. 3 storey. Circulation via a large spiral staircase. Ground extension to rear with an internal courtyard garden and also did have a roof terrace over with pergola structure. Garages are separate rather than integrated at the front as were many (non Span) 3 storey “town houses” of the period. Would love to see inside one of these. Original elevations & windows intact. Difficult to photograph due to trees and walls, could not see the rear elevations...Designed by Eric Lyons for the developer Span. Blackheath is a real hot spot for Span with around 20! Developments. The Hall, 1957-67, being made up of Hall 1, 2, 4 & Hallgate and forming the biggest group / estate in the area.

Edenham Way. The Cheltenham Estate, Kensal Town, London. This is the only remaining house which has been untouched since construction. lovely window composition of skinny white painted timber window frames, black stained what I think is Plywood cladding and the original front and garage doors. Obviously needs some TLC but good to know that now the houses are listed there will hopefully not be any inappropriate alterations when this house changes hands..Sadly most of the houses are in a sad state of alterations by the council and Right to buyers. But some are now in the hands of appreciative owners and being renovated sensitively. Inside the houses are quite generous. Ground floor with garage and a kitchen diner to the rear. First floor living Room and bedroom. Second floor 2 beds and bathroom with roof lighting over the centrally located staircase. Trellick Tower & Edenham Way, The Cheltenham Estate London W10. By Erno Goldfinger, Grade II listed. completed 1972.

Edenham Way. The Cheltenham Estate, Kensal Town. London. This is an example of one that’s been sympathetically renovated with new windows in much the original configuration and new black cladding also as original. Sadly most of the houses are in a sad state of alterations by the council and Right to buyers. If you want to see the plans and photos inside a few of these houses do google search: Rightmove, 11 Edenham Way..... Trellick Tower & Edenham Way, The Cheltenham Estate London W10. By Erno Goldfinger, Grade II listed. completed 1972

A long terrace of houses on Renfrew Rd, Kennington, South London. It’s a stones throw from the Cotton Gardens Estate. Distinctive projecting garages with a pitched roof. In fairly good repair but there’s the usual window and door replacements, some better than others...I think they are by Lambeth Architect’s Department under or designed by Edward (Ted) Hollamby. There are other similar terraces around South London.

Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London.. Minimal brutality in Notting Hill...Love these terraced 5 storey Town Houses on Clarendon Rd. Discovered after a visit to the nearby fabulous Museum of Brands. These houses would not look out of place at the Barbican, concrete with purple brick & big picture windows with original frames. Appearances can be deceptive, after talking to a lady who owns one I discovered that what looks like 5 houses (3 in photo) are actually 10. There are another 5 at the back behind a shared party wall. All houses are entered through this East elevation over tiny garages Interestingly and ironically it occurred to me that these houses are a fancy version of the terraced back to back workers housing built between the late 18th C & early 20th C, many are now demolished. The very helpful owner I spoke to actually thought them really ugly and was trying to get everyone to agree to painting them! Thankfully agreement could not be made amongst owners. I did say that she should be living in a more common period property in the area and she agreed, it was all in good humour. Likely 1960s build. Architect unknown.

Albert St, Camden, London. Unusual mirrored concrete arches which look to be pretty much decorative unless the ceilings internally on the second floor have a barrel vault following through from the arch. Likely 1960s- early 70s. Architect unknown.

Oval Road, Camden, London. A terrace of 5 (1a-1e) three storey brick town houses with integrated garages and roof terraces, reason for them being that the houses back on directly to the railway tracks from Euston station so there is no rear space at all. Really like the unusual and varied window arrangements which have their original frames. Like the easy to miss subtle detail in the brickwork in that it flares out under the strip of second floor glazing giving it a slight cantilever. By Ted Levy Benjamin & Partners 1963

Strand On The Green, Kew Bridge, London. A somewhat Span style development located just off the North East corner of Kew Bridge on the Strand-On-The-Green. Two rows of very nicely detailed 3 storey town houses, two colours of brick, hanging tiles and a lovely balcony with an integrated planter and canopy. Integrated garage which is typical of this type of house. There is also a couple of semi detached two storey houses and a parade of shops. I’m guessing it dates from around the mid 1960s. Architect unknown

The Grange Estate, Ealing, London. There are several terraces of these rather nice 3 storey town houses generally arranged in groups of three terraces around a communal garden/square. Gardens to these houses are small but there is direct access to generous communal gardens at the rear. This approach is typical of Wates Estates from this period. Built by the developer Wates 1965 and designed by their chief Architect Kenneth William Bland. It’s within a conservation area.

The White Ledges Estate, Ealing. It’s directly below The Grange Estate.. Pretty standard for the time Wates 3 storey town houses that can be seen on many Wates Estates with minor variations. Built by the developer Wates around 1965 It’s within a conservation area.

Morecoombe Close, Kingston-Upon-Thames, London.. A great feature to be seen internally is the exposed timber beam ceiling to the underside of the mono pitch roof within the bedrooms. Just love the external rough dark stained weatherboarding. Mono-pitch & flat roofs with clerestory lighting.Nice animated window arrangements. Assumed 1960s /early 70s Architect unknown.

Another design on Morecoombe Close, Kingston-Upon-Thames, London.. .Nice animated window arrangements and rough weatherboarding. Assumed 1960s /early 70s Architect unknown.

Oak Hill, Surbiton, London. A terrace of 5, townhouses, In need of some TLC. Brick with the lesser used green hanging tiles and weatherboard. Nice little section of perforated concrete blocks at the entrance area over a bin store. The one on the left seems to be pretty much in original condition, original entrance area and garage door. Likely 1960s. Architect unknown.

Oak Hill, Surbiton, London. Quite wide for this type, brick with hanging tiles and big windows. Can’t spot any original ones but replacements could be worse but all in slightly different configurations ..Date from around 1964, possibly designed by Broadway Malyan.

Blagdon Walk, Teddington, London. Date from around 1965. Shallow pediment with a recessed balcony beneath. Horizontal dark stained weatherboarding. Some original doors and windows remain. New ones mostly adhere to the original configurations. The development consists of these 3 storey houses but also has 2 storey ones. Most of the development is on Blagdon Walk which is a close which has some massive Cedar trees, but there are also two terraces on Holmesdale Rd. They are all connected by a gated patch of communal woodland with a large pond. A long term resident & architect very kindly showed me this little oasis.

Fairways, Teddington TW11. A private estate off the Thames with its own Marina/Dock. There are three terraces of 3/4 storey town houses on the estate. Each backs onto the dock and has it’s own mooring spot. Roof terraces due to the lack of gardens but many have built extensions to form a 4th floor. Some still have their original aluminium windows, replacement ones are done well and don’t look too out of place. Entrance side to the houses has very nice timber, garage and front doors, white painted with horizontal slats. There are 23 houses, mostly these 3-4 storey townhouses, but also including six 2 storey ones. Very well looked after. And has a swimming pool and tennis court. Completed 1972. Architect unknown.

Eversfield Rd, Kew, London. A terrace of 5 brick and weatherboarded houses. Assumed 60s-early 70s. Architect unknown.

Paxton Close, Kew, London. Two terraces of weatherboarded houses on a cul-de-sac. Assumed 60s-early 70s. Architect unknown,

Ennerdale Rd, Kew, London. A terrace of 5 brick and hanging tile houses. Nice window arrangements. Assumed 60s. Architect unknown,

Ennerdale Rd, Kew, London. A terrace of 5 brick and weatherboarded houses. Assumed 60s-early 70s. Architect unknown,

Weymede in Byfleet, Surrey A Span Estate of 130 houses,. The estate is a mix of 3 & 2 storey houses. This is the first Span Estate where I have seen a very large quantity of my much hated “period style” white plastic front door! 😱 like most Span estates there is a Restrictive Covenant in place so very surprised that these hideous and totally unsuitable doors were approved! Sadly says a lot about the taste of many owners, not appreciating the modernist houses that they have! 😔Original ones were plain doors and painted in a selection of primary colours, red, yellow, blue etc. Designed by Eric Lyons for the developer Span. 1966.

Morley Grove, Harlow New Town, Essex. Completed 1967. Located in the Little Parndon housing district. Nice weatherboarded clad facades with separate windows punctuated in the facade rather than the full width linear strip ones common at the time on this type of house. As usual no original windows or front doors and every single house now has different double glazing window configurations. Could not find one House with original ones so not sure what they looked like when built. Nice original vertically grooved metal garage doors with no Visible frame. Think they were built for private sale rather than social housing but not entirely sure. Designed by Gibberd & Partners.

Netherfield, Milton Keynes. A tale of two houses...Ironically the one on the left looks to be trying to transform into a Span house with the addition of the hanging tiles, I doubt this was the intention though...The lean to pitched roof porch is another matter!.....The one to the right has had UPVC windows installed by the council. Glazing has been reduced to the centre 3 panes only! These houses looked great when first completed. Do a google image search and you will see what I mean. The whole estate is in a very sorry state today but still very interesting. The Netherfield Estate, Milton Keynes. Designed by Chris Cross, Jeremy Dixon, Mike Gold & Ed Jones, for the Milton Keynes Development Corporation. built early 1970s

King Charles Walk, Southfields, SW19: A Cul-de-Sac of narrow Brown brick with weatherboard detailed houses with recessed balconies and garages. . By Stefan Zins & Partners 1969.

King Charles Walk, Southfields, SW19: A Cul-de-Sac of narrow Brown brick with weatherboard detailed houses with recessed balconies and garages. . By Stefan Zins & Partners 1969.