Beneath the canopy of Dulwich Wood stands a testament to architectural innovation. We’re standing before Six Pillars. What stories do these walls hold?
Six Pillars is not just a house. It’s a Grade II* listed building, a designation that marks it as a structure of significant architectural and historical interest. This modernist house, located in Sydenham, was completed in the 1930s.
Let’s dive into its history. Architect Valentine Harding, who worked for Tecton Group, designed Six Pillars. Harding, tragically, died during the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. The Tecton Group also designed the penguin enclosure at London Zoo.
Notice the style. Six Pillars was inspired by Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye. Harding used “glascrete”—concrete containing glass. This maximized sunlight within the house. The result is a bright, airy space.
John Leakey, headmaster of Dulwich College Preparatory School, commissioned the house with his wife. It was built between 1932 and 1934. Interestingly, the house was designed to blend in. Its minimalist style and London stock brick were chosen so it wouldn’t clash with the surrounding Victorian-era houses. It was even set back from the road.
When first built, Six Pillars included four bathrooms. There were also two bedrooms, three reception rooms, a study, and two maid’s quarters. Six cylindrical pillars define the ground floor, giving the house its unique name. The entrance hall rises two stories, featuring a sculpted staircase. Strip windows at the rear echo the design of Highpoint I.
Take a look at the back. There is a first-floor glass balcony. The house spans 3,000 square feet.
Six Pillars became a Grade II* listed building in 1981. In 1989, it was on the market for £365,000. Later, in 1998, Roger Trapp bought it and commissioned a restoration by John Winter. In 2012, Six Pillars House was for sale again, this time with a guide price of £1,675,000.
Consider how Six Pillars embraces natural light. Almost full-width, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the main rooms. Glascrete in the hall highlights the modernist focus on brightness.
Six Pillars stands as a unique home. It is a family home close to Dulwich schools and rail connections. With its blend of history and modernist design, Six Pillars remains an architectural gem in the London Borough of Southwark. As we conclude our visit, remember Six Pillars. A home where innovative design meets historical significance.