2 Willow Road was designed in 1937 by Erno Goldfinger and completed in 1939. It is situated in Hampstead, North London which was considered to be the centre of abstract art and surrealism in Europe in the 1930’s. As a result of this, many artists during this period chose to reside in Hampstead. This was of great interest to Goldfinger as their surrealist views reflect the anarchistic approach with which he undertook his work.
The site itself was originally home to four small, derelict cottages which Goldfinger had originally planned to replace with a large block of flats; one of which would be designated for his family. This proposal was soon rejected by London County Council and consequently, following other designs, the plan for the three terraced houses which stand on the site today was decided upon.
Goldfinger’s plans were strongly opposed by the general public, including a man named Henry Brooke who wrote to the papers, making national news. Although the building is now thought of as helping pioneer the Modernist era, it was vastly different from the traditional Victorian and Edwardian houses which surrounded it. Additionally the design of the house was far ahead of it’s time as this was not what a typical modern style house would look like in the 1930’s. The house became part of the National Trust in 1996 and a greatly appreciated piece of architectural history. 1 and 3 Willow Road remain private properties.
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