Jørn Utzon designer 1962 Hertfordshire home offering

A six-bedroom house in the Hertfordshire town of Harpenden, designed in 1962 by Jorn Utzon, best known for his world-famous design of the Sydney Opera House, has been listed for sale.

It was originally designed by Utzon for his friend and fellow Dane, Povl Ahm, who was chairman of Arup, the celebrated firm of engineers.

In the late 1950s, the young Dane Povl Ahm (1926 – 2005) was working in London for the great Anglo-Danish civil engineer Ove Arup when he was assigned to assist on Jørn Utzon’s ground-breaking project for a new Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

The build took two years, between 1961 and 1962, to complete.

It was extended in 1972 by Ulrick Plesner, an architect at Arup.

The house is entered via a car port into an entrance hall.

From here steps lead up to a spectacular living room with full length, floor to ceiling glass overlooking the gardens and exquisite concrete and timber detailing.

Architects suggest it is one of the finest living rooms of any 20th century house anywhere in the country 

The current owners have constructed a skateboarding facility and tree house at the far end, out of sight of the main house.

Historic England, who have described this as “a distinguished and beautifully detailed Modern house” granted it listed status (Grade II) in 1998.

Trains run from Harpenden station to London Kings Cross Thameslink in approximately 25 minutes, and the M1, A1M and M25 are all within a 5 to 20 minute drive. 

For more about the history of the house click here.