Along Benfleet Road, east of Vicarage Hill and opposite the entrance to Shipwrights Drive, lies an interesting property at 241. This house is called “Shipwrights”, and its appearance is deceptive. It is a rare example of pre-war British modernism – an architectural style which was popular on the continent prior to wartime, but did not take off over here until after. Modernism has since come to define everything from post-war British high streets to minimalist IKEA-made interiors. It was designed to be clean and functional, making impressive use of new materials and construction methods, yet with an elegance and clever use of windows to provide light. Shipwrights is a Grade II* listed building.
Whilst it may look like a somewhat recent building, Shipwrights actually dates to circa 1937, designed by architect Wells Coates for John Wyborne – the Director of the Southend-based radio company Ekco. Given that domestic radios at the time represented the pinnacle of modern technology, it was fitting that the Director had a house which too represented this stance. Wells Coates designed some of Ekco’s products; such as the AD65 radio, in a similar contemporary style. He designed Shipwrights under the influence of Le Corbusier; the ‘father’ of modern architecture, and the house echoes his famous Villa Savoye in France.
Sources:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1337691?section=official-list-entry