There are very few houses of the post war period that have merited listed status and fewer still with a rare Grade II* listing (categorised as “particularly important buildings of more than special interest”) - a testament to the talents of Walter Greaves (1924 – 2004).

Greaves was an architect with who was both bold and expressive in his designs but also meticulous in his attention to detail. This exceptional combination was spotted early by Peter Moro, his tutor at Regent Street Polytechnic, who soon offered him a job.

Greaves continued to work for Moro, notably working on the iconic Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank. When Greaves left his position with Moro to set up his own practice he made the decision to focus on smaller projects – private houses in particular – to avoid the distraction of having to run a large office. He was something of a draughtsman at heart and far preferred working at his drawing board to sitting in board rooms.

His love of his craft and his retiring disposition were, however, perhaps at the expense of gaining a bigger reputation and he still remains lesser known than more self-publicising peers such as James Stirling and the Smithsons. Such were his abilities, though, that there was always demand for his work from discerning clients such as Leslie Bilsby, the director of the celebrated Span development company. His house for Bilsby in Blackheath is one of a number of projects that Greaves completed in this part of South East London. Another house by Greaves in Canterbury, Kent is also listed.