54. Hopkins House

This extraordinary building was designed by Patty Hopkins together with her husband Michael in 1976 when she was on maternity leave. We were shown around the house by Abigail their daughter who explained over time how the spaces changed as the family grew up. A grid of 2m x 2m and a light structure of 63mm steel columns and delicate trusses allows for continuous views of the ceiling and floors meaning the grid does not dominate the space. Venetian blinds are used to divide up some spaces where required (although possible to peek through!). The family moved into this house after selling their property on Winscombe Street designed by Neave Brown and the spiral staircase echoes the plywood stair found in the Neave property. The building has since had external walls insulated and large glazing replaced.

Patty and Michael left us some beautifully hand drawn original drawings of the house. The plans were labelled simply with the functions of the rooms. The plan was designed to be flexible and adaptable for future change as the family grew up. The shower pods and storage were the only rooms with ‘solid’ melamine walls.