Hollybank, N10
Muswell Hill, London Planning Six Houses Residential Development
Hollybank is a backland site located at the bottom of Muswell Hill comprising derelict lock-up garages. Completely hidden from the street, every boundary of the site flanks the rear gardens of adjacent period homes which are in a Conservation Area. The proposed design creates six inward-looking two storey homes in a new contemporary mews development providing 3 and 4-bedroom family houses to the area.
The design was prepared with the planner's support, but due to local opposition the planning process took three years to secure permission at appeal. The contemporary design preserves and enhances the character of the Conservation Area by the use of materials and the configuration of the houses. Hard and soft landscaping further enhance the existing site, surrounded by trees, with the new houses sharing the large gated communal central area, which provides a safe area for children to play away from busy road, whilst private amenity space is also provided for the houses.
The architecture and style of the new houses is a contemporary reinterpretation of the existing Victorian vernacular of the area, designed to expand the adjacent 'Garden Suburb' Arts and Crafts influenced designs of the nearby houses with facing brick and clay roof tiles being the predominant materials used on external facades. However, the detailing of the houses is contemporary with gable walls projecting within the landscaped mews courtyard designed as crisp, flush bookends separated from the main brick and clay tiled facades by rebated shadow gaps that run down the pitched roof and vertical walls connecting to concealed gutters. Windows are full height to maximise on daylight and sunlight whilst carefully planned to avoid overlooking to the neighbours.
The internal spaces provide for large open-plan kitchen and living spaces with separate dining room and space for an office. The bright spaces are control the views of the occupants towards trees and away from neighbours. Upstairs the properties provide 3 or 4 double/twin bedrooms with fitted storage and a family bathroom, with a master bedroom which has its own en suite bathroom.
