Many of the problems in the construction industry are to do with planning and management. There are a disgraceful number of deaths in injuries on building sites."Fortunately, no one was hurt in the collapse of the church, but as more old buildings are gutted for conversion to trendy apartments the risks increase. Mr Hunt adds: "To get planning consent, developers are having to go to absurd and costly lengths to prop up the facades of unremarkable buildings, just because [authorities] don't have the confidence that what we could build in its place would make a fine contribution to the future environment.". Examples of Modernist architecture are all around us and the popularity of these varied buildings, from Trellick Tower in west London to the penguin house at London Zoo, is easy to see. But a lesser-known example of Modernism that has just come on to the market in rural east Sussex will further fuel the fervour for these design classics. Moneynetmortgagesearches Examples of Modernist architecture are all around us and the popularity of these varied buildings, from Trellick Tower in west London to the penguin house at London Zoo, is easy to see.

He attended school in England and had just left Harrow at the outbreak of the Russian Revolution. To earn a living he exploited his skills as a dancer in the jazz age, and his career as a designer began in England in 1924. From a background in interior design he moved towards architecture and became a fellow of RIBA in 1933.Chermayeff built Bentley Wood for himself in 1939 and spent most of his life in the six-bedroomed house now recognised as a classic statement of Thirties Modernism. Renowned architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner calls Bentley Wood "an excellent modern composition", noting: "It is nearly entirely glazed to the south and otherwise weather-boarded with unpainted cedar boarding Some of the setting is no longer in its original state. The Henry Moore figure at the end of a terrace is gone."Pevsner says plans were initially refused by the rural district council but, after a public enquiry, the architect and client won and the house, where all bedrooms and receptions look out on to the South Downs, was built.

Tim Page-Ratcliff, an estate agent with Strutt and Parker, says: "This wonderfully individual house was conceived to take full advantage of the spectacular grounds and south-facing position."He believes interest in architect-designed houses has grown. "The founding fathers of the Modernist movement believed that they were helping to lay the foundations for a better society," says Ian Lilley, who produced the From Here series for television. "It led to an international movement that not only changed the face of our cities but also changed the way many people lived."Fine examples such as Bentley Wood are rare. "It's very unusual for us," says Mr Page-Ratcliff who, three years ago, sold Bentley Wood within three weeks and expects a similar timescale for this sale "People are much more open-minded now than 20 years ago.