Highpoint I

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An extensive refurbishment of a flat in the iconic modernist Highpoint block in Highgate, North London.

 

Highpoint is a Grade I listed block of flats, designed by Berthold Lubetkin with Tecton and completed in 1935.  The project involved close collaboration with the designer client, with the brief of re-establishing the spirit of the original design which had been lost over the years by previous alterations.

 

A few key changes to the layout brought the original design of the flat back to life, whilst making use of every corner to maximise storage space.  The principal move returned the kitchen to its original location. This meant a reduction in size, so the design needed to work extra hard to squeeze every inch of useful space from it.

 

The bathroom was reinstated in its original layout, with new sanitaryware and tapware in the spirit of the original Lubetkin-designed “Highpoint” fittings (which are no longer available). Bathroom joinery was designed as a contemporary reinterpretation of the original.

 

We worked with a few key textured materials, including a new cork floor. This was stained in a deep chocolate-brown colour, referencing the colour of the window frames, whilst bringing a contemporary and velvety feel. Beautifully detailed bespoke joinery, bold coloured ceilings and sumptuous textures in the soft furnishings all work to bring depth and a hint of playfulness to the design.

 

Though invisible, a few upgrades to the existing building fabric and services provided some thermal and acoustic improvements. This included overhauling the steel-framed windows, and installing new slimline double-glazed units into the existing frames, requiring extensive consultation with the local authority to obtain Listed Building consent.

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Photography by Richard Chivers