Architecture Wednesday: High and Over

This home, High and Over, is England’s first ever Modernist home and was designed by the architect Amyas Connell in the late 1920s. High and Over is a home of both special architectural heritage and a well-serviced space for contemporary living with six bedrooms, restored interiors, 1.7 acres of landscaped gardens and transport links that make central London reachable in 30 minutes.

The house was commissioned by Bernard Ashmore, then a leading figure in archaeology and later a curator of Greek and Roman antiques at the British Museum. The two bonded over their mutual appreciation of both modernist and classical architecture, which they would later subtly blend into the design of High and Over.

Connell combined elements of modernist and classical architecture to create a house with lofty proportions and sleek geometric lines; his Y-shaped plan captured sunlight throughout the day and would earn the house the nickname, ‘The Aeroplane House’ for its propeller-like silhouette.

Like many of its contemporaries, High & Over fell into a state of disrepair as architectural fashions changed. By the 1960s, it had been saved from demolition but split into two separate dwellings, until it was purchased by the current owners who have restored the Modernist property to its former grandeur. Original features have been reinstated, such as the glazed doors and ceiling light boxes in the principal reception rooms, as well as the stunning hexagonal reception hall with a circular gallery above, showcasing the building's geometric elegance.

The ground-floor, AKA the first floor in America, layout seamlessly blends living spaces—Drawing Room, Library, Dining Room—while offering access to the terraces and gardens. A sweeping staircase leads to the upper floors, while an inner hallway provides access to the kitchen and back staircase.

The first floor, or what we call the second floor, features an adaptable combination of bedrooms and utility spaces with the potential for customization. The current arrangement includes five bedrooms, but one of these could be turned into a dressing room or en-suite for the main bedroom. An additional bedroom is accessed via the back staircase.

The top floor, originally comprising bedrooms and a nursery, now houses a study and an additional lounge opening onto a spacious roof terrace, boasting panoramic views of Old Amersham and the Misbourne Valley.

The house is situated in 1.7 acres of its original ‘Roman’ landscaped gardens, with terraces and steps down to a circular swimming pool. There are also swathes of lawn, set around a backdrop of mature trees which enclose the gardens in privacy as well as a detached garage with planning permission to be converted into a self-contained annex, home office or work studio.

It's a sleek, modernist piece of history and can be yours if your offer is £3,000,000, or $3,817,410 USD, or above.

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