Specifiers Journal 2015-2016

HOUSING
Fitzroy Park House
Highgate, London
A new family home in North London
within the Highgate Conservation
area, replacing a late 1950s house.
The design strategy takes advantage
of the sloping site by creating new
additional spaces within the lower
garden level.
The house is surrounded by natural
landscape. Its upper level cantilevers
out and floats amongst the tree
canopies, with views to Hampstead
Heath and beyond. The position of the
new house is set back sensitively from
Fitzroy Park with a minimal stone and
metal bridge, allowing mature trees
to be retained and enhancing its
peaceful setting.
The bridge leads into the heart of
the house, which opens up to views
over a day-lit double-height volume
down to the lower garden level.
Large sliding glass doors dissolve the
boundary between inside and outside
with external stone paving extending
into the landscaped garden which
gently curves around the house.
Material references for the house
reflect its natural setting. Cedar
fencing and oiled Iroko balconies
contrast with the Accoya timber
envelope. Painted in dark grey, the
timber brings additional texture
and colour to the limestone on the
exterior façade. The crisp and sharp
protective exterior layers give way to
softer warm interior spaces, with an
extensive oak ceiling and floors laid
out in limestone or dark oak.
The house is designed to be naturally
ventilated and well insulated. Details
such as skylights placed strategically
at various points in the house to bring
in further daylight ensure that the
family can engage with nature at
every possible opportunity throughout
the seasons.
88 SPECIFICATION JOURNAL 2015-2016