Planning render showing two-volume house extension with dark timber upper floor and white render ground floor, terrace and garden, North London — Alec Crisp Architects at Cooke Fawcett

*Project completed while working at Cooke Fawcett Architects.

Tollington Park

Extensive additions to a family home, creating improved living accommodation and dedicated work-from-home space. The original house, built in the early 2000s, had compact living areas and subterranean bedrooms. The proposal introduced a ground-floor extension and a new upper volume, both of which received planning approval on a sensitive site.

CGI render of open plan living space with exposed timber beam ceiling, timber stair with vertical slat balustrade and integrated storage, North London house extension
CGI render of window seat with low planting trough and glazed garden view, architect-designed house extension North London

The form of the additions follows the cubic geometry of the existing house while expressing the new elements as two distinct volumes. A range of external materials was explored to strike a balance between contrast and continuity. The existing building combines white render with zinc and galvanised steel, and options were tested both to complement this palette and to introduce subtle contrast, such as warm timber cladding, creating a dialogue between old and new.

  • Planning render showing house extension with white render upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — North London residential architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with zinc or galvanised steel cladding upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with zinc or galvanised steel cladding upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with horizontal light timber cladding upper volume, terrace and glazed ground floor, material option study — North London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with dark vertical timber cladding upper volume contrasting white render ground floor, North London — Alec Crisp Architects at Cooke Fawcett
  • Planning render showing house extension with white render upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — North London residential architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with zinc or galvanised steel cladding upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with zinc or galvanised steel cladding upper volume, terrace and garden, material option study — London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with horizontal light timber cladding upper volume, terrace and glazed ground floor, material option study — North London architect
  • Planning render showing house extension with dark vertical timber cladding upper volume contrasting white render ground floor, North London — Alec Crisp Architects at Cooke Fawcett
CGI render of open plan dining area with oak table, wishbone chairs and glazed doors to garden terrace, architect-designed house extension London

The side extension replaces a former terrace, making it essential that the new rooms establish a seamless connection to the re-formed external terrace. A window seat and large glazed doors offer views and encourage the living spaces to spill naturally into the exterior.


Integrating the stair within this new volume required careful coordination with the existing structure. By incorporating storage into the stair and refining its proportions, the design maintains a sense of lightness and openness when viewed from the living room.

CGI render showing timber stair with vertical slat screen and integrated storage drawers, open plan living space, house extension North London
CGI render of living room with timber stair, vertical slat screen, exposed beam ceiling and glazed doors to garden terrace, North London architect
CGI render of first-floor home office with exposed timber beam ceiling, long timber desk and window overlooking garden, architect-designed upper floor extension London

The first-floor home office is deliberately separate and private, overlooking the garden to create a calm environment for focused work. A skylight above the stairwell brings natural light down to both the office and the level below, improving daylight throughout the house. The space is flexible, able to function as a guest bedroom when required.

CGI render of flexible home office and guest bedroom with exposed timber beams, built-in desk and garden outlook, North London house extension — Alec Crisp Architects

© 2026

All Rights Reserved

© 2026

All Rights Reserved