Upper Tollington Park is a complete renovation of a Victorian terrace in a North London conservation area, designed to bring new light and life to a family home. Shaped by the clients’ connection to Singapore, the design prioritises natural light, organic forms, and a warm, layered material palette—one that subtly shifts in tone and texture as the seasons change.

A careful reworking of the existing plan introduces brighter, more generous internal spaces while maintaining a calm, tactile atmosphere. Light, colour and texture are used as primary architectural tools, creating a home that feels both contemporary and grounded in its original fabric.

The kitchen is conceived as the home’s light-filled anchor: a calm, continuous arrangement shaped by soft, organic geometry and a warm, layered palette that relies on tone and texture rather than contrast. Muted green cabinetry sits alongside pale timber to form a sunlit, tonal backdrop, complemented by a light, mineral worktop and a continuous timber splashback/shelf that keeps the elevation quiet and functional.

Joinery is treated as part of the architecture—composed, tactile and quietly detailed—with rounded transitions, exposed timber structure overhead and limewashed wall finishes, while the island’s curved edge introduces a gentle, playful note that echoes the project’s wider language of softened thresholds and tactile finishes.

Design team: ARCO Design and Architecture Ltd

Contractor: CBC London

Bespoke Joinery: CBC London