Richard Rogers' Wimbledon home gifted to National Trust
The Grade II* listed house, designed by Richard and Su Rogers, will be opened for guided visits and educational purposes.
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A significant modernist house in Wimbledon, designed by the late architect Richard Rogers and his wife Su Rogers, has been gifted to the National Trust. The property at 22 Parkside, Wimbledon, is recognised for its influence on iconic structures including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Lloyd's building in London. The house, built between 1968 and 1970, is Grade II* listed and is considered a key example of High-Tech architecture.
A testing ground for architectural ideas
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The Wimbledon home served as an early testing ground for architectural concepts that Richard Rogers later employed on larger projects. Designed for his parents, the house features a radical single-storey layout with a bright yellow steel frame, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and movable internal partitions. Ben Rogers, son of Richard and Su Rogers, stated that the house was where "many of the ideas that would go on to influence my father’s work and some of the world’s most celebrated architecture were first tested and explored." He added that the family wished to ensure the house was "protected, cared for and shared with future generations, rather than remaining a private asset."
Preservation and public access
The National Trust plans to develop guided visits and educational partnerships at 22 Parkside, aiming to make it a resource for schools, universities, and heritage organisations. Hilary McGrady, National Trust director-general, expressed gratitude for the gift, stating it ensures "a building where world-changing ideas were born continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, makers and creators." The charity has secured an endowment from donors, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Sigrid Rausing Trust, to support the property's upkeep and is appealing for further donations to fund public access and educational activities. Ruthie Rogers, Richard Rogers's widow, noted her husband's belief in making culture publicly accessible, stating it brought him joy that the house would be accessible to the public.
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Opening to the public
The house at 22 Parkside will open its doors to the public this weekend as part of London's Open House festival. This event provides an early opportunity for visitors to experience the property, which is now under the care of the National Trust.
Questions this report answers
+What is the significance of 22 Parkside, Wimbledon?
The house at 22 Parkside, Wimbledon, designed by Richard and Su Rogers, is a Grade II* listed building considered a significant example of British architectural history. It served as an early testing ground for architectural ideas that influenced major global structures like the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Lloyd's building in London.
+What are the National Trust's plans for the house?
The National Trust intends to open the house for guided visits and educational purposes. They aim to make it a creative and educational resource for schools, universities, and other heritage organisations, ensuring its preservation and sharing its architectural importance with future generations.
+When can the public visit 22 Parkside?
The house at 22 Parkside will open to the public this weekend as part of London's Open House festival. Further details on future access and guided visits will be announced by the National Trust.
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