Residential extensions are many architecture studios' bread and butter, but even within this, fairly familiar, type of commission, projects can range vastly in scope and style. North London based Mulroy Architects are experts in the humble house extension, but still, their latest scheme, the redesign and expansion of a 1930s detached home in Highgate, was a real point of departure – predominantly, because of the commission's larger scale.
‘We were excited by the potential of adding significant internal height and drama within what would otherwise be a grand 1930s house from the outside but mundane on the inside,' says practice director Andrew Mulroy. ‘The architecture is also a reflection of the clients who, from the outset, were receptive to the new ideas and were equally excited about doing something different.'
Mulroy looked to references such as American modernism and standalone houses within nature to hone his approach. ‘The early houses by Richard Meier have always fascinated me with their logical circulation routes, clear division between the living and back of house rooms and the grand central space,' explains Mulroy. ‘We didn’t have a pine filled hillside like the Douglas House from the early 1970s and Horace Gifford’s work, also from the 1970s, felt more relevant in terms of scale. His house at 252 Bay Balk is wonderful and was an inspiration to see whether we could develop a brick version that felt as light and airy as his timber home.'
The result is a minimalist extension formed by the layering of a series of interconnecting clean, box-shaped volumes. A brick envelope frames large openings towards the green garden and the nearby woods beyond. The house extension added 68 sq m to the property while respecting neighbouring homes and the overall sleepy, natural context.
RELATED STORY
Inside, the glazing ensures natural light reaches every part of the deep floorplate. The new ground level arrangement houses the kitchen and living areas. A new entertaining space can host up to 20 guests. Above, an extra bedroom with its own, private balcony makes having guests over easy – so, even more can enjoy the refreshed home's chic and generous contemporary interior and peaceful, tree-filled views.
INFORMATION
-
Maserati unveils the Fuoriserie By Hiroshi Fujiwara MC20 Cielo modelHiroshi Fujiwara, the so-called Godfather of Streetwear, lends his talents to Maserati’s in-house bespoke division, creating a stylish take on the company’s open-topped supercar
-
Diffar is a new Japanese hair brand making perfume oil at the foot of Mount FujiDiffar, a newly founded Japanese beauty brand, creates perfume oils for hair in its Mount Fuji laboratory that are set to travel the world
-
‘Architecture for Dogs is about exploring the joy and meaning behind design’: ADI’s latest exhibition celebrates the human-canine bondAs a showcase of designs for dogs opens in Milan, we find out why inviting our four-legged friends into exhibitions benefits everybody.
-
Year in review: the top 12 houses of 2024, picked by architecture director Ellie StathakiThe top 12 houses of 2024 comprise our finest and most read residential posts of the year, compiled by Wallpaper* architecture & environment director Ellie Stathaki
-
An eco-conscious reconfiguration of space revives a London homeAn eco-conscious reimagining of a Victorian terraced home for a growing London family, THISS Studio’s Hartley House offers sustainable, spacious living
-
This listed house in London is transformed through a contemporary celebration of the archSegmental House, a listed house transformation by Dominic McKenzie Architects, taps into the playful powers of the contemporary arch
-
Ebb and flow: Tidal House is a harmonious retreat on the Solway CoastTidal House by Brown & Brown Architects redefines coastal living with a design that balances privacy, openness, and harmony with nature
-
Farshid Moussavi’s new house in Hove is about ‘what you need and nothing more’A new house in Hove, designed by Farshid Moussavi for her parents, hits the right notes between functional and minimalist in the British seaside town
-
A Corten-clad extension creates a prominent Peckham landmark: tour Rusty House on the RyeStudio on the Rye’s radical overhaul of a 1950s house in south London pairs robust materials with expansive new interior spaces
-
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 winner is a delightful work in progressThe winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2024 is Six Columns in south London – the home of architect and 31/44 studio co-founder William Burges
-
Explore a barn conversion with a difference on the Isle of WightGianni Botsford Architects' barn conversion transforms two old farm buildings into an atmospheric residence and artistic retreat, The Old Byre
