Chassay Studio has won planning for a mixed-use courtyard scheme on Highgate Road in north London.

Following the urban grain of a group Victorian workshops on this tight urban site, the development comprises seven flats, two houses and 700sq m of offices, arranged around a courtyard garden for use of the residents. The form of the project was inspired by the open galleries of old houses in New Orleans, with lacy ornate balustrades and lush planting.

The key aim of the design was to make the largest possible living areas. Every home is entered directly from the courtyard, the front door opening into an open-plan living space, with big windows on both sides. 

Despite the restricted space, all homes are dual aspect, taking advantage of existing rights-of-light over neighbouring gardens with careful control of overlooking to maintain privacy. The commercial space is also dual aspect, the outlook controlled on both sides to protect the new homes.

The office entrance is near the site entrance, separated from the residential areas. All utility functions of the site are concentrated in a service bay at the same point, an arrangement which is flexible and accessible, but out of sight.

All the buildings will be prefabricated using panels of solid cross-laminated timber. These provide a 20% reduction in the overall construction time and suit the complex spaces needed to make this scheme work. The project is scheduled to start on site in August.

Postscript:

Landscape design by Spacehub