Semi-detached house for sale in Heathville Road, London N19

This thoughtfully crafted, three-bedroom house by architectural practice zda is positioned on an end-of-terrace plot on Heathville Road. The form of the house demonstrates a restrained and minimal approach to materiality and geometry, creating a striking impression from the street. Inside, a carefully articulated and interconnected plan of over 1,500 sq ft is finished with a simple and serene material palette of wood, stone and clay. The house is flanked by two tranquil courtyards, one at the front recently redesigned by Cargill Sykes, and one at the rear. Heathville Road is surrounded by public greenery and is well-connected, with Crouch Hill and Finsbury Park stations within walking distance.

The Architect

Designed and built by zda for the architect's own use, this home is a labour of love and ingenuity. The plot, formerly home to a pair of derelict lock-up garages, has been thoughtfully adapted to create a home with two sunken courtyards and generous living spaces. Designed for contemporary living and true to modernist expression, the house is free from decorative motifs, allowing space, light and materiality to take precedence.

The Tour

Set back from the road behind a sunken courtyard garden, the façade of the house has an elegant asymmetry. White render is broken up by large swathes of glazing and punctuated with Iroko timber cladding. Within, the current owner has recently restored much of the integral woodwork.

Upon entry to the house, volcanic blue Irish limestone runs underfoot. Black American walnut and clay plaster line the walls here, and throughout. The house is arranged in an upside-down layout with the open-plan, dual-aspect kitchen, living and dining space on the first floor. At the rear of the plan is the kitchen area. The same walnut is used on the countertops in this room, complemented by sleek white cabinetry that houses a Blanco sink and Smeg appliances. A new Bertazzoni five-burner hob lies atop a stone island, set behind a walnut screen. An additional walk-in utilities and storage room house a Bosch washer and Miele dryer hidden behind a clay wall and a floor-to-ceiling door.

The living area on this floor is at the front of the plan. An entirely glazed wall defines this space and a pair of leather line shutters open from here to reveal a balcony. The walls and ceiling are rendered, creating soft shadows on the surfaces. There are built-in shelves on two walls. A walnut desk is suspended above the glazed double-height hallway. There is underfloor heating on the first two floors, and hidden radiators on the top floor.

The primary suite occupies the top floor, with a set of sliding pocket doors dividing a living area from the tranquil sleeping space. When the doors are open, the room is filled with light that pours in from three aspects. Velux windows punctuate the white timber-clad ceiling, while vertical glazing at the front of the plan affords views onto the tree canopies. A skylight illuminates the open-tread sculptural stairwell, with a brass and walnut balustrade. An en suite bathroom, with a walk-in shower and a skylight, is hidden behind the plywood cabinetry that lines the back wall.

On the ground floor, there are two bedrooms separated by a bathroom. In the first, a full-height, timber-framed door opens out onto a patio, shaded by new trellising with jasmine, akebia and clematis beginning to create a fragrant green screen. The room has built-in wardrobes and open shelves; dark limestone floors run underfoot. The second bedroom has an en suite bathroom with views of, and access to, a private courtyard.

The large family bathroom on this floor is set between the bedrooms; glass bricks at street level allow light in, and the blue Irish limestone floor blends seamlessly with the custom bath built in the same material. There is a large vanity unit and a walnut-lined wall with open shelves.

Outdoor Space

The house is set between two courtyards, one at the front and another at the rear. The front stone-paved patio has a bench-cum-garden storage unit and two large, bone-white, handcrafted Torc planters with an Amelanchier tree in one and an olive tree in the other. It has recently been redesigned by award-winning firm Cargill Sykes.

The rear courtyard draws light from above; ivy runs the side of one wall and jasmine on the other. The floor is covered in pale slabs and sprouting greenery. These neatly arranged, calming spaces are perfect for peaceful solitary moments and offer a calm retreat from the city.

The Area

Heathville Road is on a quiet tree-lined tree south of Parkland Walk, a six-minute walk away. Crouch Hill, Finsbury Park and Highgate are all within easy reach. Several highly regarded eateries are nearby, including the excellent Big Jo cafe, Max's Sandwich Shop and Dotori. The Faltering Fullback pub is moments away. Other offerings are available on Stroud Green Road, known for its organic shops, including Urban Native and Butler's Deli, an independent wine shop and delicatessen. Also nearby is the open expanse of Finsbury Park, and just to the north is Parkland Walk, a much-loved trail on a disused railway line that connects Finsbury Park to Highgate.

There are several excellent schools in the area; one of the main reasons for its popularity with families. Primary schools include Coleridge Primary School, the Catholic St Gildas' Junior School and St Aidan's Voluntary Controlled Primary in nearby Stroud Green. Crouch End also has some highly regarded secondary schools, including Hornsey School for Girls, Highgate Wood, and Greig City Academy to the north in Hornsey. In nearby Highgate is Channing School for Girls and Highgate School.

There are several stations for transport nearby, including Crouch Hill Overground Station, Archway Underground Station (Northern Line) and Finsbury Park for Victoria & Piccadilly Line services and mainline trains.

Council Tax Band: E