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Penny Talelli has a passion for cutting edge contemporary architecture. However husband Mark Edwards loves period architecture. Somehow, these two neurologists want to build a family home that satisfies both their tastes. But will it be the best of both worlds or just an appalling mishmash?

Taking the plunge they buy a derelict Victorian gatehouse on a very steep hill in north London that now sits abandoned and unloved. The plan is to lovingly restore it, paint it white and then add a giant, black, zinc clad box at the back, marrying their love of old and new. But right from the off they run into problems. The gatehouse is terminally cracked and needs knocking down completely. Excavating the tricky sloping site takes months longer than expected. Increasingly struggling to balance their busy work lives with project managing, the future of Penny and Mark’s unconventional home hangs in the balance.

From the Architect: As the house is built on a hill, the stair is an important part of the design. It is the visual focus of the home and links the new and old buildings. The glazed ceiling above provides glimpses up to the sky and trees that makes the house feel bigger. We suggested that the stair, designed by a specialist, might be painted an interesting colour to contrast with the black cladding and, like many things in the house, we were surprised that the clients were brave enough to try it. In a house that had to be restrained on the outside for planning reasons, inside it is an element of surprise and delight.

Despite its charm, the existing villa was of very poor quality and a complete rebuild was favoured, allowing the contemporary volume to appear as a sympathetic yet contrasting addition. Site constraints were overcome through careful consideration of internal levels to maximise usable space, alongside the clients’ willingness to take risks internally where they couldn’t outside. In a house where the context experienced external constraint, the contrasting internal playfulness offers surprise and delight.

The large entrance opens towards an impressive glazed lightwell directly above the visual focus for the property, the bright yellow steel staircase. Polished concrete flooring continues through to the open plan living and kitchen space forming the heart of the home.

The first floor encompasses the Victorian-style building with a studio, utility room, guest bedroom and bathroom. Arched windows softly frame each room, showcasing the clients’ strong decorative style. The contemporary element adds two large bedrooms and adjacent bathrooms, which echo the entrance sky light, allowing natural light to flow in easily. Black external cladding blends with the dark slate roofing and window features of the villa. A simple glazed hallway connects the two, enabling side access to the garden.