Contemporary Charms: Muswell Hill House Extensions
This light-filled, contemporary extension transforms a ground floor flat to a characterful Edwardian terrace, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Muswell Hill, North London. The design thoughtfully complements the home's historic charm while introducing a fresh, modern architectural language.
Project Type: Renovation and Extension
Project Profile: The expansion of a ground-level flat in a historic terrace property with a single-story extension.
Location: Muswell Hill, North London
Build Time: 4 months
Homeowner Brief:
"Sam desired a contemporary extension that enhances the original property, prioritising internal height flooded with natural daylight."
Home Profile:
The property is located within Muswell Hill and maintains its Edwardian charm. The property was originally a large terrace house that has been split into flats. The ground floor flat benefits from a spacious rear garden.
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Selection of views
Key Design Features
The extension embraces a contemporary aesthetic, defined by vertical timber cladding that brings warmth, texture, and visual interest to the structure. This material choice not only elevates the design but also ensures long-term durability and sustainability.
Full-height sliding doors foster a seamless connection between the interior and the garden, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Above, oversized rooflights have been strategically positioned to flood the space with natural light throughout the day.
Together, these elements timber cladding, expansive glazing, and generous rooflights create a modern, light-filled extension that integrates effortlessly with the existing property, enhancing both functionality and connection to the outdoors.
Moving Inside
The interior design is defined by the interplay between the home’s original living room features and the contemporary kitchen-dining extension. Glazing to the rear including bespoke corner windows and expansive rooflights creates a seamless connection between inside and out. This integration not only floods the space with natural light but also maintains a constant visual link to the surrounding garden, enhancing the overall ambiance.
Dark grey kitchen units make a bold statement against the warmth of timber flooring and the brightness of the light-toned worktop, introducing a modern contrast to the home’s traditional elements. Overhead, feature lighting above the kitchen island functions as both a practical and decorative centerpiece, bringing focus and atmosphere to the space. Together, these elements strike a careful balance between heritage and modernity, resulting in a timeless yet contemporary interior.
Before and After 3D Cut-through Plans
After: 3D Floorplans
Before: 3D Floorplans
Route to Planning and Onsite Construction:
As the property is a flat, a full planning application was required. Located within a conservation area, the application also necessitated a detailed Heritage Statement to demonstrate sensitivity to the building’s historic context.
The construction process presented unique challenges, primarily due to restricted access to the rear garden. All materials and equipment had to be carefully manoeuvred through the ground floor, navigating narrow corridors and tight corners. This constraint was particularly demanding during the delivery of large steel components and oversized glazed doors, requiring meticulous planning and coordination to ensure a smooth and efficient build.
