Ultra-Modern Rear & Basement Extension House Plans

For Caroline and Alan Burns, the journey to creating their dream home began during the pandemic. “It was in the Covid lockdown and Australia was shut,” says Caroline, who arrived in London from Australia 20 years ago. She stayed in the UK to forge a career and marry Alan, with whom she now has three children.

The couple were deliberating whether to move to Australia to enjoy the alfresco lifestyle or remain in London, with all its opportunities and culture, when the pandemic struck. “We worried about where we might go and what we might do, but then thought it’d be better just to live for the moment,” she says.

That decision led the couple to make an offer on a property in North London, which they’d walked past many times. The generous proportions of the double-fronted Victorian home impressed Caroline – the high ceilings and large rooms make a strong first impression as soon as you walk through the front door. “The scale of it! I’ve never seen an entrance and hallway like it,” says Caroline, who fell in love with the house’s potential, despite its terrible condition.

see the home

The biggest drawback for sun-loving Caroline was that the rear of the house faced north, and the boundary to the west was blocked by a neighbouring gable. “I knew that if we were going to stay here, we’d need more light,” she says.

So, what came next was a 72-week renovation and extension project, completely transforming the property into the couple’s dream, six-bedroom home. A striking geometric addition, designed by Mulroy Architects, allows light to enter the new kitchen-diner from all directions, creating the perfect family space.