Caroline & Alan Burns’ clever renovation and extension recreated their Aussie lifestyle in a north-facing London home

WORDS ALEXAN DRA PRATT

PHOTOS DAN GLASSER

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.

The unusual asymmetrical extension is clad in sustainable larch timber and architectural masonry, which comprises up to 40% recycled materials

That decision led the couple to make an offer on a property in North London, which they’d walked past many times. The house’s hilltop location, in a conservation area, offers an enviable views across the city. The generous proportions of the doublefronted Victorian home impressed Caroline, too – the high ceilings and large rooms make an 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. There were linoleum floors, a dilapidated lean-to and soundproofed rooms for the musical former tenant. 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.

By moving the staircase to the side of the building, Caroline and Alan established a clear sight line from the front of the house to the back garden

Dream team

Caroline and Alan’s desire to flood the property with sunshine formed the basis of the design brief they gave to their architect, Andrew Mulroy of Mulroy Architects. “The Australian way of life is all about letting light in,” says Caroline. “I needed a beachy, summery feel. I also wanted a house large enough to entertain. I have a big family, and I wanted a kitchen that forms the heart of the house, with enough space for everyone.” Andrew and his team rose to the challenge, crafting plans for a renovation and extensions that showcase clever solutions to the building’s unique challenges. “It’s a beautiful home that embodies the spirit of Australia and London,” says Andrew. “Our ambitious design maximises views, floods the house with light and introduces open living areas for entertaining.”