A 1920s London Home Is Transformed Into No Ordinary House

"In a neighborhood of north London, one 1920s house has been given a second life. What was once a dim and disjointed home weighed down by decades of poorly conceived additions has been transformed by Mulroy Architects into a radiant and flexible family dwelling called No Ordinary House - an inspired collaboration between architect and homeowner that optimizes well-being and warmth."

"Mulroy's approach was rooted in the idea of openness - removing barriers both physical and psychological. The ground floor was reorganized around two central sightlines: one stretching from the front entrance through to the garden beyond, and another going upward through a new galleried staircase that funnels natural light deep into the house. Inspired by Horace Gifford's breezy East Coast beach houses, the new layout celebrates flow and transparency, linking daily life to views of the garden and sky."

"When the homeowners proposed the idea of a basement, Mulroy challenged them to think about purpose rather than just space. The result is a vibrant social hub - part gym, part screening room, part bar - opening onto a sunken courtyard that blurs the line between indoors and out. The basement embodies the idea of "social sustainability" - it can evolve over time into a self-contained apartment for multigenerational living."

A north London 1920s house was transformed into a radiant, flexible family dwelling that prioritizes openness, light, and garden connection. Owners Nichola and Stanton reimagined cluttered layouts and blocked light to create adaptable spaces for their teenage sons and future needs. Ground floor reorganization establishes two central sightlines: one from the front entrance to the garden and another upward through a galleried staircase that channels natural light. A purpose-driven basement functions as gym, screening room and bar while opening to a sunken courtyard, enabling future conversion to a self-contained apartment. Upstairs loft provides private, self-sufficient bedrooms, supporting multigenerational living and long-term flexibility.

Read at Design Milk