Originally built between 1962-65 by architect Walter Segal for his family, this home in leafy Highgate has undergone a stunning transformation under the skilled hands of architect Johanna Molineus. The new owners, Annalex and Ralph, commissioned Molineus to add a two-storey timber-clad extension to the original house, creating a modern and iconic family home.
Annalex and Ralph, both with backgrounds in design and the creative industries, saw this project as an opportunity to create their ‘forever’ home in the village they love. Having completed two previous major conversion projects in Highgate, they were well-prepared to take on the challenge of transforming this unique property into something truly extraordinary.
The original house, designed by Segal, featured a wooden cabin at the end of the garden known as the ‘Little House’. This cabin served as the prototype for Segal’s innovative ‘Segal Method’ of building, which eliminated the need for traditional bricklaying and plastering in favor of a modular timber-frame system. Molineus paid homage to Segal’s self-build ethos by utilizing a prefabricated CLT structural system in her design for the extension.
One of the main challenges Molineus faced was the limited site access, requiring everything to be designed to come through the front entrance. Despite this constraint, the team embraced the use of CLT and explored its full potential in creating a seamless connection between the old and new parts of the house.
The front elevation of the house is deliberately understated, blending in with the surrounding 19th-century townhouses. However, upon entering through a striking black ‘portal’ entrance, visitors are greeted with a bright and airy space that opens up to the landscaped garden. The interior design features a minimalist material palette with simple and discreet detailing, allowing the family’s art collection to take center stage.
The new two-floor extension at the rear of the house is clad in larch, chosen for its ability to fade over time to a soft silver tone that complements the existing concrete tiles and facade. The interiors feature large format concrete-style tiles that flow seamlessly from inside to outside, creating a cohesive living space that blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors.
Annalex and Ralph are thrilled with the result of the renovation, describing it as the home they always wanted but never expected to have. The house retains a sense of surprise and seclusion every time they walk through the door, a testament to Molineus’s skill in creating a truly exceptional living space.