Picture this. You are standing before Overshot a striking Grade II listed house. It’s a private residence but its unique architecture invites a story.
Overshot was built in 1937. Godfrey Samuel and Valentine Harding designed it for art historian Ellis Waterhouse. The house is a fascinating blend of modern and traditional. It uses traditional materials like light red brick and cedar weatherboarding. Yet its design is firmly in the modern movement idiom. Think simple elevations and functional planning.
Overshot perfectly reflects a shift in British architecture. Architects were moving away from exposed concrete and flat roofs. They favored traditional materials to achieve a modern aesthetic. This movement gained traction in Britain around 1936-37. Architect Anthony Chitty a contemporary of Samuel and Harding noted this shift. He explained that Tecton the architectural group Samuel and Harding belonged to favored traditional materials for their durability and weather resistance.
Overshot boasts impressive joinery. Oak floors grace most rooms. Pine floors remain in what was once the maid’s room. Oak window sills cupboards and library shelves are present. This creates a cohesive high-quality interior. The library is the home’s focal point. It has shelving built-in drawers and a fireplace. A unique two-way cutlery drawer connects the dining room to the former kitchen and pantry. The L-shaped plan comprises a two-story main range and a later addition. This later book stack made of timber sits atop a double garage with storage to the rear.
A modernist showcase is the house’s entrance facade. Large geometric windows and steel columns are eye-catching. Strip windows highlight the corridor above. A balcony off the southeast first-floor morning room adds character. A set-back loggia sits below the balcony.
Overshot is more than a home. It’s a testament to a specific architectural movement. It’s a reflection of the intellectual climate of the 1930s. It’s a remarkable example of a house largely unaltered except for its added book stack circa 1960-65. It’s a home that speaks volumes about the tastes and interests of its original owner and its creators. Its story continues to intrigue and captivate. It’s a must-see on any tour of Oxford’s architectural gems.