Transformed dilapidated garages into an attractive, self-built end-terrace home

Utilizing space-efficient designs, like pocket doors, are implemented extensively in various areas

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2025 September 22 . 4:01 PM

2 min read

Revamping of Two Abandoned Garages Leads to Stunning End of Terrace Self-Construction

Transformed dilapidated garages into an attractive, self-built end-terrace home

Article: A Stunning Self-Build Home in Crouch End, North London

In the heart of Crouch End, North London, a remarkable self-build home has taken shape, transforming a once derelict site into a modern and innovative living space. This three-bedroom property, ingeniously designed and elaborately constructed by architect George Clarke and his team at ZDA, showcases clever space-saving design elements and a minimalist material palette.

The home's unique feature is the use of two sunken courtyards, which bring a touch of tranquility to the bustling city surroundings. The living spaces are made possible by pocket doors that glide into a cavity in the adjacent wall, maximizing space, and a partition that can divide the upper floor, offering flexibility in layout.

The front canopy structure provides an additional floor area, while the external render is a standard cementicious render with a white masonry paint. To complement the local area, the architect chose Iroko external timber cladding for its stability, robustness, durability, and competitive pricing. The material choices aim to complement each other, with the relatively local limestone hosting thousands of fossil specimens adding a unique touch.

Budgetary constraints rule out the use of more expensive self-coloured polymer render. Instead, a white-painted battened ceiling was selected for its acoustic performance and to avoid wet trades such as plastering. The home's design acknowledges the form and materials of the existing neighbouring houses, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

The material palate is limited to black American walnut, volcanic blue Irish limestone, and natural lime plaster, creating a clean and minimalist space. A high-quality walnut engineering board with minimum sap wood and a birch-ply subbase is used for the majority of built-in furniture and the floor. A solid walnut study desk is suspended in the double height entrance hall, providing additional floor space.

The home's layout is an upside-down one, with the bedrooms on the ground floor and the main living areas on the first floor. The upper floor can be used as a single, open-plan space or divided by a dark stained-ply partition wall. There is also a shower room at the top of the stairs.

One of the most interesting features is the insulated shutter doors, which can be opened from a walnut-clad storage wall and window seat. A strip of birch ply is removed from the rear, allowing a walnut-to-walnut face to be glued together, creating the appearance of solid walnut furniture at a lower cost.

The younger members of the family particularly love the large family bath, clad in Irish limestone, which they see as a small swimming pool. This home in Crouch End is a testament to the transformative power of clever design and innovative thinking in self-build projects.