An architect’s contemporary home built on the site of two derelict garages in Crouch Hill, north London
Residents of Crouch Hill can vouch for how lovely the area is, with an abundance of independent restaurants, cafes and local pubs. Heathville Road is particularly pretty: a tree-lined street a short stroll from Parkland Walk, the longest linear nature reserve in the capital, which stretches along a derelict railway line from Finsbury Park to Alexander Palace. Heathville Road is also the location of this three-bedroom house, which is, in our opinion, even better than its surroundings.
There’ll be no mistaking this asymmetric house for its neighbours. The façade, for example, arguably looks more like a contemporary sculpture than a traditional house. A series of layered geometric shapes, made using materials such as honey-hued Iroko timber and slick glazing, stand out against its white-rendered backdrop. The partition that separates the house from the street is in tune with the design too, its Tetris-like shape formed from a clay wall, wooden fence and gate.
The use of materials inside is nothing short of exquisite: walnut, stone and clay plaster complete the palette and have been employed thoughtfully over all three floors. Just like the materials, the colour scheme is stripped-back, spanning the spectrum of brown, creating a serene space that’s incredibly easy to spend time in. There are plenty of linear and boxy shapes to note here too, thanks to an open-tread stairwell with a brass and walnut balustrade, and rendered ceilings. As a result, architectural shadows move around the interior with the sun.
The flowing interior plays out over an upside-down layout. There are two bedrooms on the ground floor, one with its own courtyard, both with en-suites. The stairs from this level lead to the home’s most striking space, the open-plan living, kitchen and dining area. It’s all about elegant details here such as the leather-lined shutters and the bespoke walnut joinery. A second living area and the peaceful main bedroom, connected by sliding pocket doors, lie on the second floor. One of the best things about being at the top is the verdant views of the nearby treetops, which makes it feel even more like a secluded light-filled retreat away from the rest of the house.
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