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.
The owners, Nichola and Stanton, saw potential where others might have seen only problems. As founder of the interior and spatial design studio No Ordinary House, Nichola was drawn to the property’s bones – its generous proportions buried beneath cluttered layouts and blocked light. With two teenage sons and a desire for a more adaptable home for the future, the couple teamed up with Mulroy Architects to create a space that could grow with their family while maintaining a sense of calm and connection to the garden.
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.
Upstairs, flexibility remains at the core. The reimagined loft offers private, self-sufficient bedrooms for the couple’s nearly grown sons, while the middle floors provide shared family zones designed to adapt as life changes. Throughout, there’s an emphasis on natural materials, longevity, and warmth – a reflection of Nichola’s own design ethos that harmonizes the built environment with nature.
At the heart of the home, a dramatic double-height courtyard garden anchors the interior with a living wall that brings biophilia into the space. Acting as both aesthetic centerpiece and environmental feature, it improves air quality, supports biodiversity, and visually softens the home’s modern finishes.
From solar panels and high-performance insulation to strategic daylighting and ventilation, Mulroy Architects have ensured the house operates efficiently while maintaining comfort. The improvements have dramatically raised the property’s energy rating, aligning with the studio’s commitment to “big, green architecture” that is as practical as it is beautiful.
For more information on No Ordinary House and Mulroy Architects, please visit mulroyarchitects.com.
Photography by Kilian O’Sullivan.