A rare site in north London offering distant views southwards across open fields. Located in Totteridge Common, this 0.56Ha site has a long frontage onto the Common and is occupied by a detached house that was partially burnt down in 2012.
Fox House
A Certificate of Lawfulness had been granted to rebuild the existing property to include a basement and an extension as well as a leisure complex complete with indoor swimming pool and gymnasium in the grounds of the house.
This planning history allowed for a ‘fall-back’ replacement house of some 450M2, but as it is within a Conservation Area and the Green Belt, the design had to be sensitive to the setting in size, scale and materiality.
The house is located across the footprint of the existing house at a point where the ground falls some 3 metres, allowing for a lower level to be built into the site – the resulting form is a single-storey building as seen from the road, while from the fields beyond it is 2-storeys so that the upper floor gains distant views across the fields.
An entrance track arrives at a walled courtyard, announcing arrival and lending a sense of place and security. The building is L-shaped, with garaging and guest accommodation in one wing, while entrance and studies to the other back onto the main body of the house, sitting beneath a mono-pitched roof with clerestorey windows.
Within, the entrance leads directly into the main open plan living space with a fireplace to one end and a large utility/ back kitchen and study to the other. The south façade is largely glazed onto the view and has a continuous balcony shaded by the roof overhang, while to the west end a large deck projects out.
A broad staircase drops down to the lower level where three bedrooms, all with en-suites and large master bedroom suite all face onto the south facing garden and views – a cinema room occupies a corner embedded into the ground.
Externally, an outdoor swimming pool follows the line of the projecting master bedroom volume, framing a square lawn area. To the east the garden is re-wilded and a new orchard is planted, while to the west an existing woodland area is to be improved and new trees planted.
The house is to be a slender steel framed structure, infilled with timber framing and insulation, all bearing on a concrete retaining structure. Built in an earthy linear brick, with dark grey/brown timber infill panels and screens set beneath a black zinc roof, it will sit quietly on its site.
The house is to be heated by an air source heat pump located in the garage structure, powered by integrated PV panels set upon the upper roof.
| Status | Completed (2023) |
| GIA m2 | 450 m2 |
| Planning consultant | HGH Consultanting |
| Landscape architect | Rathbone Partnership |
| Ecology | Windrush Ecology |
| Arboriculturalist | Patrick Stileman |
| Highways consultant | EAS |
| Project Team | Tom Hayes |
| Photography | © Richard Chivers |
RIBA London Awards 2025 shortlist
"Having interviewed 8 architects for our project John Pardey was the one we immediately connected to. He listened to what we wanted but at the same time presented himself with this inner steel of calmness and experience which gave us confidence this was our guy.Paul & Charlotte Fox
When we took John down to the site you could instantly see his mind working. He said within 30 minutes he had an and after just 48 hours had sent us a drawing of his vision.
What was so unique was how he designed the house using the natural gradient of the land so that we could have unparalleled views of the rolling hills on both floors but with amazing different perspectives. The upside / downstairs living was something he hadn't even considered, but it was so cleverly designed that it makes use of the land in a way that from the road there is a single storey building but with this amazing downstairs that is 'hidden' away from the front of house.
Upstairs you walk through the front door into a porch shielded by a deliberate wall but as you walk into the main living area the never-ending reaction is one of amazement at the views that you are presented with at the highest point of the hill. Downstairs you get a totally different perspective with 'infinity' outlooks over the lawn and pool. The house has been built with perfect proportions. No room feels oversized or too small and you get the sense of a real family home throughout.
The natural light of the floor to ceiling windows, the charming wood interiors and beams and the amazing brick work has resulted in the most beautiful of houses. We receive so many compliments from passers by and the uniqueness of the house will stand the test of time.
Tom Hayes was appointed as project architect and I can honestly say it was 18 months of stress free building. They managed every aspect of the project and gave us the confidence throughout it was being built to exceptionally high standards. Having selected the contractors with us, they worked collaboratively with the contractor to source the best building materials for our project and throughout the project worked with us and the contractor to ensure the project remained within our budgets
Without doubt JPA made the building of our dream home a reality and without them it would not have been possible. I never thought I would say, but it was honestly enjoyable from day one and I would do it all again."
