The National Trust has announced that 22 Parkside, the Wimbledon home of architect Richard Rogers and designer Su Rogers, will open to the public for the first time on Saturday, September 12, as part of London's Open House festival. The Grade-II listed modernist house, also known as Wimbledon House or Rogers House, has been gifted to the National Trust, allowing visitors to explore its bright yellow and green walls, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and minimal furniture.
A Landmark of Modernist Design
Designed in 1967, 22 Parkside is considered a precursor to some of Rogers' most famous works, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and Lloyd's of London, both of which drew inspiration from the house. The National Trust has described the property as a 'landmark example of twentieth century design' and 'one of the most significant homes in British architectural history'.
Rogers, who passed away in 2021, also designed the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, the Channel 4 building, and Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. However, 22 Parkside stands out for its single-story layout and vibrant colour scheme, embracing modernism and minimalism throughout.
Family Legacy and Public Access
Ben Rogers, son of Richard and Su Rogers, said: '22 Parkside is much more than a family home. It is one of the most important buildings my father and mother created – a place 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.'
The National Trust plans to offer guided visits, educational partnerships, and interactive digital content at the site in the future. The house will be accessible to the public as part of the Open House festival, which celebrates London's architecture and design.
Gift to the Nation
National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady expressed gratitude to the Rogers family, stating: 'We are profoundly grateful to the Rogers family for placing this extraordinary house in our care. Their generosity means that 22 Parkside will now become part of our shared inheritance, belonging not to a single family but to the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.'
McGrady added: 'This extraordinary gift will ensure that a building where world-changing ideas were born continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, makers and creators.' The house, with its lime green interior, offers a unique glimpse into the creative environment of one of Britain's most influential architects. Whether visitors are architecture enthusiasts or simply curious, 22 Parkside provides a bright and bold day out in Wimbledon, now part of the National Trust's collection of historic properties.
