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Threefold have recently completed the conversion and extension of a double fronted, Edwardian end of terrace property in Muswell Hill from two flats into a large, 5no. bedroom contemporary family home. The extent of works includes a two storey rear extension, full reconfiguration of the internal spaces with creation of a new basement and the rebuilding of the existing poor quality, rendered façade to restore the original red brick facade.
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The project is conceived as a house of 2 halves; a traditional front and contemporary rear, with a carefully designed and detailed stair and circulation band in the centre which stitches the two halves together. Externally, the meticulously restored and rebuilt front façade respectfully bookends the terrace once more. At the rear, a collection of carefully arranged brick volumes house the more contemporary spaces.
The client loved the original features of the house, but wanted to live in a more contemporary way where there was a greater flow of light and space and where social and family spaces and activities were prioritised rather than the typical cellularised layout of a terrace property.
Upon entering at ground floor level, the front of the house contains a living room on one side and a study behind cross reeded glass partition on the other, with both spaces giving a referencing the traditional detailing of the existing building. Passing through the circulation band in the centre of the house and stepping down into the rear half, you arrive in a 3 metre high kitchen and dining space with a bespoke oak and concrete kitchen flanking one side of the space. On the other, a dining table is placed under a 5 metre high double height space with glazed roof and has framed views of the garden through the full height glazed doors at the rear. This creates spatial drama and optimizes the connections between the kitchen and the garden, with the flush concrete floor running through the rear glazing to the outdoors, to allow the garden to be viewed as an extra room.
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In the centre of the plan, sat between the two halves of the house, is a dramatic oak finned and steel framed stair case which rises up through the full height of the house to a fully glazed opening roof light above. This feature draws light into the centre of the plan and creates a dramatic sculptural feature, as well as providing passive ventilation and drawing natural light into each floor via the triple height circulation space.
The contemporary aesthetic is continued up to the first floor, with traditionally detailed bedrooms at the front and a generous and contemporary master suite occupying the rear half. Referencing the materiality of the ground floor, the master suite uses slatted oak to form a bespoke dressing area and a black metal framed, cross reeded glass to partition separating the bedroom from the bathroom. The second floor roof space and rear dormer contains two further bedrooms, shower room and several loft storage areas. The rear bedroom makes use on its elevated position with a large corner window to frame expansive views of the surrounding area.
A new basement floor has been formed to create a large informal family living space that runs the full width under the front portion of the house, with a WC and plant space to the rear of the plan. New light wells were dug at the front of the house, carefully screened from the street by new planted borders, to allow the continuation of the bay windows down to basement level. This in combination with a 3m plus ceiling height and a view of the outside world has created a light filled living space that fees like a continuation of the house rather than a basement addition.
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Client: Confidential
Type: Residential
Area: 405sqm
Status: Completed
Location: Muswell Hill, North London