Design Buy Build Issue 39 2019 | Page 56

A warm-modern townhouse in North London Perseverance and determination to find a plot in their much-loved area of north London resulted in this warm, modern family self-build, belonging to interior designer and stylist, Tash South and her husband, Richard. In their two-year search for a plot of land in sought-after Crouch End, Tash and Richard would wander around the area, street by street, at the weekends, their baby daughter in her buggy, following up on every disused garage and little pocket of space they could find. It paid off, as a year later they were the owners of the overgrown back half of a garden, which formed a sloping plot in between the garden of the house behind, and the front of what would become their new street. After interviewing three different architectural practices, they hired MAB Architects to design the light-filled, four-bedroom house, and to help with the challenging planning process. The house sits in a conservation area, so many additional caveats and regulations had to be adhered to, but even with the restrictions they've ended up with a well-designed, light, modern family home, completed to Code 4 sustainability. The build lasted just over a year, with many obstacles to overcome, as expected with any self-build. And of course, like any good build project, Tash became pregnant with their second daughter halfway through the process! 

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