Don Phelan Close, London SE5

Designed by Clifford Culpin in 1971, this fantastic four-bedroom duplex forms part of the D’Eynsford Estate in Camberwell. Generous living spaces and bedrooms unfold over 1,000 sq ft across a flowing, open-plan layout, with honest materials and finishes chosen for their tactile and hardwearing qualities. A south-facing private terrace has long views along the estate's lawns, gardens, and sports pitches. Camberwell, with its exciting food and arts scene, is a five-minute walk away.

The Architect

Clifford Culpin was active throughout the 20th century, working in partnership with his father, the architect Ewart Culpin. Rising to become the RIBA vice president, his architectural training remains something of a mystery though his father's influence is clear.

Under the mantle of Culpin and Son, their work included large-scale town planning, housing developments, and civic architecture, notably Greenwich Town Hall, which was listed in 1990. Robust forms, striking geometries, and subtle detailing characterise the practices work.

The Tour

The apartment is approached along the red-brick terraces of the D’Enysford Estate, which is distinguished by its wide pathways bordered by lawns. The front door opens to an entrance hallway on the ground floor, where a white-painted stairwell leads up through the apartment to the top floor with the main living spaces.

The earlier renovation has transformed the top floor into a bright open room, defined by original metal-framed windows with wide views along the lawns and gardens snaking through the estate. The kitchen is set to one side, demarcated by a striking marble-topped island; bespoke birch ply units with industrial stainless steel worktops run along the left hand wall. The current owner has established distinct dining and sitting areas in the rest of the space.

To one side, a large glazed door opens to the wonderfully green balcony. The space is overlooked by the fourth bedroom, which is currently used as a second living room; here, a bespoke sofa has been crafted in ply and fits neatly in a recess. Douglas fir-faced plywood panels line the floor on this level. There is a WC off the main room.

Downstairs are three further bedrooms. In the hallway, dramatic black-painted floorboards contrast sharply with the bright white balustrade, adding depth to this transitional space. The main, well-proportioned bedroom spans the full depth of the apartment and overlooks the street. The second bedroom, painted deep blue, has built-in wardrobes and is currently used as a study, while the third bedroom is presently configured as a nursery.

A family bathroom sits just off the landing; finished in plain white tiles, it has a bathtub fitted with an overhead shower.

Outdoor Space

A private terrace leads off the main living space, where terracotta tiles and red-brick walls are the perfect backdrop for luscious planters full of greenery. The apartment’s position means the terrace isn't overlooked, yet it has beautiful views along the lawns and gardens. There is also plenty of space for a table and chairs for an atmospheric morning coffee.

Shared outdoor spaces create a strong sense of community across the state; these include a communal garden with a wild woodland area, a flower and herb garden, a separate veg patch area and a series of expansive lawns and sports pitches beyond.

Residents are also able to use the driveway? for parking.

The Area

Camberwell is an exciting area of south-east London, with an excellent selection of independent restaurants, cafes and delis all within walking distance of the apartment, including The Daily Goods coffee shop, Gladwell’s deli, Theo’s Pizza, the esteemed Silk Road restaurant and The Camberwell Arms pub.

The presence of the nearby Camberwell Arts College means that the area has traditionally been home to lots of creatives. The studios of Anish Kapoor, recently designed by Caseyfiero Architects, and Raqib Shaw are both in Camberwell. The South London Gallery, designed by 6A Architects, is just around the corner, with a new site opening over the road in the old fire station.

Burgess Park is a five-minute walk away and has tennis courts, two community gardens, and an expansive lake home to a varied array of the city’s birdlife.

Denmark Hill station is a 10-minute walk away and runs London Overground services to Shoreditch (25 minutes) and Clapham Junction (14 minutes). There are also Overground services to Clapham High Street (four minutes) for connections to the Northern line, and Canada Water for links to the Jubilee line. Numerous buses run along Camberwell New Road into central London.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 92 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £3,500 per annum
Council Tax Band: C