The Cosmic House in London’s leafy Holland Park is not for the faint-hearted. Designed by Charles Jencks, the house is considered one of the most important examples of Postmodern architecture and is the UK’s first Grade I listed house of that style. No psychedelic drugs are required for your visit which will convince you that you’ve travelled to a parallel universe where everything is an explosion of colour, form, wit, symbolism and most of all, fun. But be warned: getting that gold ticket to visit the Cosmic House isn’t a walk in the park, so read further and see how you can get your curious little mind into one of London’s most surprising and unusual houses.
A History of the Cosmic House
Opened to the public in 2021, the Cosmic House was a collaboration between the American architectural historian, Charles Jencks and architect Terry Farrell. The innovative duo would go on to create a postmodern masterpiece.
Charles started designing the house whilst writing his bestseller, The Language of Post-Modern Architecture. He was married to writer, gardener and designer, Maggie Keswick Jencks. She co-founded the incredible Maggie’s cancer care charity with her husband, upon news that her breast cancer had returned.
Cosmic House is pretty kooky and you can throw some kitsch in there too. The design revolves around the creation of the universe, the rotation of Earth, the seasons and the elements. But you don’t need to read too much into it – just simply wander, try to pick your jaw off the floor and enjoy the light, the drama and the ludic design.
I’ve never seen a house like it in London and it’s certainly top of my list for being the quirkiest house in London. Let’s go take a look inside, shall we?
See inside the Cosmic House
The vortexed Solar Staircase acts as the central anchor for the Cosmic House’s spaces. It takes its inspiration from the Tulip Staircase in the Queen’s House. It represents the solar year and is also a nod to the double helix of DNA structure.
The Dome of Water is, believe it or not, a Jacuzzi, designed by Piers Gough. It fits up to six people, although Charles’ daughter, Lily recollects how she only used it once. Apparently getting in and out of it was too much of a chore, and the water was constantly cold.
The Cosmic Oval was the original entrance to the house above which sits this elliptical ceiling. Beneath is a Cosmic Loo (yeah baby!)
The Spring Room
The Winter Room
The Sundial Arcade allows uninterrupted views across the garden. Apparently, the window lowers into the floor at the flick of a switch, but I couldn’t possibly comment as I didn’t see this in action.
No it’s not called a boring Kitchen: it’s the Indian Summer, the final in the series of seasonal rooms.
It’s a kitsch space with a frieze above decorated with salad spoons. A Ganesh and other beckoning deities. “If you can’t stand the kitsch, get out of the kitchen,” Jencks once said.
The Architectural Library also served as Charles’ study. Each of the bookcases is designed according to the style of book that is contained within it. For example, a pyramid-bookcase holds books about ancient Egypt, whilst a domed one contains books about Ancient Rome.
The Foursquare Room where Charles and Maggie slept definitely has a Charles Rennie Mackintosh vibe to it.
The en-suite Bathpool can be seen from the master bedroom above. Does it remind you of the sea? It was designed by Maggie who wanted views onto the garden from her bathtub.
Jencks referred to the entrance gate as his “better selfie.” It’s meant to represent the body and wings of an angel and is a nod to the wings used as the background you see in all those Instagrammy selfies.
The exhibition space in the Cosmic House has a mirrored ceiling and a malachite green floor. As soon as you step into the house, you are already disarmed by the dizzying spaces around you. The hinged way in which the works are on display here echo the Picture Room in Sir John Soane’s Museum, one of the most delightful rooms in all of London if you get a chance to visit.
How to visit the Cosmic House
The Cosmic House is open to visitors between April and December, usually on Wednesdays to Fridays. Spaces are limited and booking is essential, so book your tickets on the official website and check the current dates, times and prices. Tickets are released on the third Friday of each month at 12pm, for visits the following month. Tickets are limited to four per booking. Children under 12 are not admitted and heels are not allowed, so wear sensible shoes for that spiral staircase.
The house also hosts a changing programme of exhibitions, commissions and curator-led tours. See what’s on at the Cosmic House for the latest events and exhibitions.
The Cosmic House: 19 Lansdowne Walk, London W11 3AH. Nearest tube: Holland Park.
First written in 2023. Opening times, prices and exhibitions change, so please check the official website before you visit.