Mulroy Architects have successfully rebuilt and delivered an extensive family home of outstanding quality and size in London’s Crouch End. The practice was appointed to achieve a large extension that would drastically transform the 327 sqm house from its previously small bedrooms, cramped communal spaces, and non-existent connection to the garden – into 450 sqm of bright and open common areas and generous bedrooms, with rich views of the luscious, landscaped gardens – forming a seamless relationship between the interior and exterior.
As both the Architects and Quantity Surveyors, the Mulroy team identified a number of challenges in how to best make use of the constrained site – carrying out a cost exercise to compare between retaining and extending the existing house against dismantle and rebuild.
Interestingly, while it was slightly cheaper to retain and extend the existing house, it was still financially viable to take apart and rebuild the house, which enabled the design team to accommodate such a spacious layout. This was crucially important as it allowed for a complete thermal upgrade to bring the rebuilt house up to modern standards and building regulations – presenting an opportunity to address all the conditions and incorporate high performance insulated bricks.
Mulroy Architects were able to build a new basement for a significantly lower cost under this new build construction model than if remodelling the existing structure. The project was eligible for a reduced VAT rate of 0% which further helped towards making the transformation financially viable.
Hurst Avenue is locally listed so the front façade has been carefully dismantled and rebuilt to the same original order. An attitude of reuse was essential throughout the project, particularly with the rebuilding of the front façade where bricks were meticulously removed, restored, and re-laid.
A critical design decision inside the home involved moving the staircase to an entirely different location to unlock the plan and introduce a clear route and flow through the house. The new, sleek staircase now sits at the centre of the home and creates moments of drama amongst a top-lit atrium.
An unusual feature is that the rear garden is on a steep elevation – almost floor level – which informed a play of levels by introducing a frameless glass balustrade terrace at bedroom level, while the new rear elevation expresses three clear elements divided by floors: living spaces, master bedroom, and children’s and guest bedrooms. The glazed ground floor volume extends into the garden to create an open-plan conservator: inhabitable as dining room and living room, its panoramic sliding doors flood the rooms with an abundance of light and life from the garden for an ever-evolving natural background to the home: a perfect harmony for the client, a Landscape Designer.
The co-ordinated landscape design sees zigzagged patio wall nooks enhance intimacy and soften the transition up the garden steps, surrounded by vibrant, planted borders. A timber pergola becomes a retreat for alfresco dining. A brick header draws the line of the open-plan conservatory up to the site boundary, creating a courtyard and wet shelter for tree ferns. All plants are exactly suited to the soil, light, natural watering conditions of the site. Dynamic colours and foliage are thriving as part of this bold design.
At the heart of the interior palette are elegant, traditional materials made from natural materials and light colours. Parquet timber floors stand out, as does the feature staircase’s solid wood treads, newels, balustrade, and slim profile cast iron balusters. White, grey, and charcoal paints delineate special experiences in a unified way. Offsetting these are punchy moments where sensual, richly coloured accent finishes dominate – peacock blue paint and matching bathroom tiles, and brushed brass light fittings.
This is a house that has been designed to flourish, not just last, over the test of time. As the brick weathers, the wood darkens, trees form canopies, and plants spill over – the home’s naturalistic qualities will fully integrate and become more beautiful. The new rear dormers and kids play den are flexible additions that will facilitate growing family life for years to come.
A noteworthy highlight is that the project occurred in the middle of the 2020 Covid lockdown, yet Mulroy Architects managed to keep it going throughout, crediting a highly collaborative and synergetic relationship among contractors and all project partners. The only obstacle was the installation of the very large glazing as the contractors were unable to lift the glazing and stay 2 meters apart, resulting in a 6 week delay. Ultimately, Hurst Avenue was completed with minimal disruption due to the co-ordinated efforts to work together as a group and finish the job.
Mulroy Architects are extremely proud to have delivered this high quality, bespoke, and vibrant house for their clients as they grow their family and make Hurst Avenue a home.
