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St John's Road
Wivenhoe

Essex

View photos St John's Road
Wivenhoe

“Designed by acclaimed architects Paul Archer Design, the house draws inspiration from the boat-building sheds that once lined the estuary, reinterpreting their forms and materiality through a distinctly modern lens”

Set within the historic waterside village of Wivenhoe, this remarkable house designed by acclaimed architects Paul Archer Design is a sensitive response to the area’s rich maritime heritage. Completed in 2023 and positioned within the Lower Wivenhoe Conservation Area, the house draws inspiration from the boat-building sheds that once lined the estuary, reinterpreting their forms and materiality through a distinctly contemporary lens. Lead architect on the project, Emil Neumann noted how the intentioned was to “pick up the geometry and material, and translate the typology into the 21st century. Designing a building that internally and externally reflects the history of its surroundings.”

Clad in dark Siberian Larch beneath a pair of striking pitched zinc roofs, the house is arranged as two interconnected volumes set around a lush patio garden. Its silhouette feels both familiar and unexpected: a modern addition that sits comfortably within the historic fabric of the town.

Internally, an abundance of natural light enters the house through its eleven roof lights and expansive triple glazed sliding doors. The pared-back interior scheme, with decorative pine panels and polished concrete floor, feels both warm and spacious.

Renewable energy generation is provided by an air-source heat pump which supplies the wet underfloor heating system and hot water. A mechanical ventilation heat recovery system provides fresh filtered air.

The relationship between house and garden is central to the design. Large areas of glazing frame views of silver birch, mimosa trees and sky. Every aspect has been carefully considered, resulting in a house that feels contemporary and deeply connected to its surroundings. Shortlisted for both Architectural Journal and British Homes awards upon completion in 2024, the house was featured in Grand Designs magazine, Elle Decoration Italia, and the Sunday Times.

Despite its tranquil setting, the house is exceptionally well connected. Wivenhoe Station is approximately five minutes’ walk away, providing direct services to London Liverpool Street in around an hour, making it possible to move between city and coast with remarkable ease.

Floorplan

“Set on the edge of the Colne Estuary, Wivenhoe is one of Essex’s most captivating waterside towns, where salt marshes, tidal creeks and abundant wildlife create an ever-changing landscape of remarkable natural beauty.”

Regarded as one of Essex’s most desirable small towns and selected by The Sunday Times as the Best Place to Live in the East of England for 2024, Wivenhoe is a former fishing and boatbuilding locale that has, since the 1960s become lively home to artists and academics.

A small university town since the early 70’s, the village began to attract a remarkable community of painters, writers and musicians, most notably Francis Bacon, who spent extended periods living and working in Wivenhoe alongside his close friends, the artists Denis Wirth-Miller and Richard Chopping. Their presence helped cement Wivenhoe’s reputation as one of Britain’s most distinctive creative enclaves, a spirit that continues today through galleries, studios, exhibitions and the annual Wivenhoe Art Trail.

Nature is equally central to life here. The Colne Estuary is one of the East Coast’s most ecologically important landscapes, with salt marshes, mudflats and winding creeks supporting an extraordinary variety of birdlife throughout the year. Footpaths trace the shoreline in both directions, offering miles of walking through ever-changing coastal scenery where curlews, avocets, oystercatchers and migrating geese are regular sights. The riverside walks around Wivenhoe are among the finest in Essex, with expansive views across the estuary and a landscape that changes dramatically with the tides and seasons.

While the historic waterfront, with its colourful cottages and the Rose & Crown pub, remains the focal point of the town, the high street has a selection of independent offerings such as the Wivenhoe Deli, the Wine Cellar, Red Rocket Music record store and Wivenhoe Bookshop for carefully curated books, while a collection of independent cafés, and pubs dot the village. Further afield, but within a twenty-minute drive, the village of Dedham, set in the heart of Constable Country, offers lovely walks, paddling and the Sun Inn, a nationally top-ten rated historic pub. Also within a short drive are Mersea Island, Manningtree and Pin Mill, with their beautiful maritime views, footpaths and excellent pubs and restaurants.

Despite its tranquil setting, Wivenhoe remains remarkably well connected. The station is approximately five minutes’ walk from the house and provides direct services to London Liverpool Street in around one hour, making it possible to enjoy life beside the estuary while remaining connected to the capital.

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