Haringey Brick Bungalow

The backland site sits behind a butcher’s shop on busy Turnpike Lane. A pair of offset volumes, each topped with a pyramid-shaped sedum roof and punctuated by rooflights, align thanks to the pyramids’ asymmetrical form. This unusual roofscape aims to offer neighbours a more pleasing view, replacing the existing jumble of ad-hoc extensions. The offset volumes create two external spaces—a courtyard entrance and an amenity courtyard to the rear, capturing the best sun. The two opposite courtyards illuminate the bedrooms and living space, providing two different aspects. An external materials palette of handmade red brick and oak, continued internally, alongside white stone cills, black steel railings, and brise-soleils, make the building’s construction easy to read. A central living/dining/kitchen space spans the two pyramids, each featuring coffered glulam roofs topped by rooflights with hanging timber ‘chandeliers’. The coffered timber roof steps up to 3.5m at its highest point, making modestly sized spaces feel grand. Sustainability was prioritized, incorporating a green sedum roof, air source heat pump, FSC timber, locally sourced brick, steel screw piles, cross ventilation, high thermal performance, and solar shading. Satish Jassal Architects managed the project from planning to completion, including all design and project management aspects. Many design and construction decisions were dictated by the constrained site access, requiring all materials and equipment to fit through the 1m-wide passageway.