Diggs Field, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire

Designed by the celebrated architect Peter Aldington, Diggs Field is a remarkable Grade II-listed modernist home. It sits surrounded by an acre-strong garden, dotted with mature trees and filled with the sounds of birdsong. It was carefully and meticulously transformed by 5th Studio, who returned the building to its original glory - with some clever new additions. Located in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, the house is within easy commuting distance of London and is near the restorative Chilterns National Landscape.

The Building

Peter Aldington was an influential postwar British architect known for his integration of outdoor and indoor space. His most celebrated project - the home he designed for himself and his family - is Turn End, a series of three Grade II*-listed interconnected houses with Grade II-listed gardens, a rare dual-accolade for sites of the period.

Diggs Field was commissioned by Diana Alderson and Dr and Mrs Leslie; Alderson had previously lodged with the couple as a land girl during the war. Distinct areas were created for Alderson and the Leslies to live separately: Historic England writes, “each end of the house was a discrete unit, either connected to, or completely separate from the rest of the house.” Conceived as a shared area is a magnificent double-height living space at the centre of the home, which was inspired by the conservatory of Alderson’s previous Victorian home.

Adlington's designs articulated modernist sensibilities through extensive use of natural materials, something that 5th Studio furthered in their more recent reimagining of the home. The practice also added eco-conscious features: the house was fully insulated and triple-glazing was fitted throughout. Underfloor heating, a heat recovery system and solar panels were also installed.

The Tour

Rooted in its private plot, Diggs Field has a sequestered feel, despite its proximity to the town centre and train station. A brick-laid driveway sweeps up to the front door, which is framed by narrow slit windows and a globular light - a trademark of Aldington’s work. Largely white with timber-clad sections, the home’s silhouette seems largely lateral; it is on entry, or from the back, that the dynamic scale of the design is made fully apparent.

Nowhere is this more palpable than in the double-height atrium or sunroom, a marvellous space with sliding doors to the lower level and tall, vertical sheets of glazing - some angled - above. Suspended from the ceiling are striking sculptural light fittings. A mezzanine level hovers above, where the current owners sit, read and stargaze.

Below is the kitchen, dining and relaxing area. Beautiful tulip wood floorboards span underfoot. The same material is repeated in the kitchen, where low-positioned cabinets (with plenty of clever storage) allow for unobstructed views. Appliances include an induction hob with an integrated fan, and there is a wonderful larder with a fridge/freezer on one side.

There are several distinct reception areas, including a breakfast room, opposite the kitchen, and a beautiful sitting room, with a log-burning stove, timber shelving and wall-to-wall windows that face out to the garden. Another large living room is currently used as a ceramics studio by the current owner, but could serve as a spacious fifth bedroom if required. This part of the house also has a large store/utility room and a smart WC/cloakroom. At the opposite end of the plan are two bedrooms and a shower room.

Upstairs is the principal bedroom, a sublime space with timber details, including a striking radiator cover, and high-positioned windows that peer into leafy canopies outside. An en suite bathroom room with a high, pitched ceiling adjoins; internal glazing borrows brightness from the bedroom, while a window opposite casts shards of light onto the panelling.

A fourth or fifth bedroom, depending on the configuration of the main house, lies in the garden. It has its own entrance, making it a fantastic annexe for visitors, elderly parents or teenage children. It has more custom-built beech plywood joinery, a pristine en suite shower room and underfloor heating.

Outdoor Space

Largely laid to lawn, the gardens that surround the house have been left wonderfully naturalistic. Trees stud the fringe; species include old apple trees in the orchard, and a magnificent hornbeam in the centre. There is a decked area at the rear of the house, perfect for summertime dining. Established beds are filled with dogwood, grasses and shrubs, planted to encourage birdlife.

The Area

Haddenham is a large rural village in Buckinghamshire, brilliantly positioned within easy reach of the renowned Chilterns National Landscape. Direct trains run from Haddenham station to London (in around 37 minutes) as well as to Oxford and Birmingham. It is one of only three 'wychert villages' in the country, characterised by well-preserved thatched cottages built with an organic blend of white chalk and clay.

Village amenities include Norsk café, a Norwegian spot selling fresh pastries and coffee, a community-run green grocer, pubs, a doctor's surgery and local supermarkets. Nearby Thame is a pretty market town with a range of amenities, including a Waitrose.

Around five miles away by car is the National Trust-owned Hartwell House and Spa. A Jacobean manor set in some 90 acres of stunning parkland, it is home to two AA Rosette restaurants and an expansive spa. Additionally, among the Chiltern Hills and perfect for a Sunday stroll are Waddesdon Manor and Claydon House, two great houses offering walking tours, weekend markets and family entertainment for the historically inclined.

Haddenham & Thame Parkway station is a 10-minute walk away from the house, with direct railway routes to London Marylebone in approximately 37 minutes or to Oxford in half an hour. Heathrow Airport is around an hour away.

Council Tax Band: G