Miriam Howitt, a noted modernist designer, reflects on her extensive career and the southwest London home she and her late husband, architect David Howitt, created in the 1960s. Now 97, Howitt’s work spans several decades and includes influential designs that have been experienced by millions, often without public recognition.
Howitt began her architectural journey in the late 1950s, collaborating with prominent modernist architect Hugh Casson. While heavily pregnant with her daughter, she famously continued to work until the final stages of her pregnancy, adapting her design responsibilities to accommodate her condition. She recalled receiving and approving drawings from the hospital, balancing her professional dedication with impending motherhood.
Throughout her career, Howitt made substantial contributions to transportation design, including pioneering the first open-plan railway carriages. Her portfolio also encompasses buses, hotel interiors, private residences, a lounge at Heathrow Airport, and the kitchen design of a large Berkshire mansion capable of serving 100 people. Her systematic approach to design is complemented by a readiness for life’s unpredictabilities.
The house in Roehampton, southwest London, remains a central point in Howitt’s life, serving not only as a residence but also as a workspace and family gathering place. Designed jointly with her husband, the home features a mix of simplicity, patterned textiles, and varied materials such as painted brickwork, dark hardwood veneers, and unique cork floor tiles. The interior combines an eclectic range of furnishings, from inherited pieces and mid-century modern chairs to sculptural fabric wallpapers and botanical tiles. Howitt described the design philosophy behind the house as one that aimed to create “totally different atmospheres in different parts of the house,” highlighting a bespoke approach rather than copying established modernist icons like Le Corbusier.
Born Miriam Cooper on the remote island of Saint Helena, Howitt’s early life involved considerable geographical mobility due to her father’s career with Cable & Wireless. Her family lived in locations including the Seychelles, Aden, Malta, Gibraltar, and Egypt before relocating to Britain during the Second World War. Settling in rural Lancashire, she later moved to London to study at the Architectural Association and work with Hugh Casson.
In addition to her varied design work, Howitt undertook notable commissions such as creating five show flats for the Barbican Estate in London. These flats were designed with specific occupants in mind, ranging from families to singles, all within tight budget constraints. To achieve this, Howitt negotiated with producers and manufacturers for donated items, understanding the marketing value for those companies. Each flat was accompanied by a catalogue of included items, helping potential residents envision the interiors. Elements from that project, including a distinctive heraldic-patterned carpet, remain in her own home.
The Roehampton house and its expansive garden were chosen with the upbringing of her four children in mind, reflecting a balance between professional innovation and domestic life. Howitt’s legacy is marked by a practical yet creative design ethos that has left a subtle but widespread imprint on modern living environments.