Highlever House: Modern Craftsmanship for a Calming Contemporary Home

Posted on ZXCZXC25 November 202525 November 2025 by FJDigital

A Landmark New Build: Highlever House by Harris Calnan

Harris Calnan is proud to have delivered Highlever House, a striking contemporary new build crafted in close collaboration with architects Powell Tuck Associates. This remarkable home combines high end finishes with thoughtful detailing, resulting in a space that feels both sculptural and deeply comfortable.

From the moment you step inside, the property sets out to surprise. A destination view pulls your eye through the length of the house towards the garden, creating an immediate sense of openness. The upside down design makes this expansive feel possible. The layout places all bedrooms at basement level, which might seem unconventional at first, yet the generous ceiling heights and carefully positioned light wells allow daylight to flood deep into the plan so the space works seamlessly.

Across the home, material quality and long term durability were central to the brief. Reclaimed brick and weathered timber allow the building to develop character over time, while precision crafted internal finishes celebrate clean lines, natural textures and calm tonal palettes.

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Large format glazing frames the garden which has been planted to ensure every sightline feels unique. When viewed from the main living areas, the landscape sits just above table height which helps the garden read almost as an extension of the interior

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One of the standout features of Highlever House is its central staircase which appears to float in place. Built with minimal connections to the surrounding walls, it demonstrates the balance of structural finesse and skilled craftsmanship that defines the entire build.

Harris Calnan’s team managed the complex requirements of the project with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring every element from concrete finishes to bespoke joinery met the exacting standards set by the architects. The result is a home that feels serene yet robust, refined yet warm, and designed to be enjoyed for many years to come.

To check out more of our projects, including a look at this project in more detail, please click here.

Project Walkthrough: St John’s Wood, Low Carbon Renovation

Posted on ZXCZXC3 October 20253 October 2025 by FJDigital

We are pleased to share a video walkthrough of the early stages of our latest St John’s Wood renovation, delivered in collaboration with Architecture for London. Click on the video to learn more about this fantastic project.

The walkthrough shows the substantial temporary works now in place. We’ve installed steels and supports to extend the ground floor and secure the structure. This careful preparation allows excavation of the new basement to begin safely and efficiently.

This renovation will transform the existing house with a full strip out, a lowered and extended basement, and a high end fit out. Every stage of the build is guided by a low carbon, high efficiency approach, ensuring the finished home will be both elegant and sustainable.

Although the project is still at an early stage, the walkthrough highlights the scale of the work involved and the precision required. It offers an inside look at how complex residential projects are carefully managed from the very start.

We will continue to share updates as the project develops, giving further insight into each stage of this St John’s Wood renovation.

To see some of our finished finished projects, click here.

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New Build with Expansive Basement in St Albans

Posted on ZXCZXC24 September 202524 September 2025 by FJDigital

Harris Calnan recently delivered a striking new build residence in St Albans, following the full demolition of the existing property. The scheme involved the construction of a contemporary home complete with a large basement. This basement quickly became the defining feature of the project.

We usually focus on substantial developments across North London so the scale of the basement excavation made this project a perfect match for our expertise. Over the years, Harris Calnan has developed a strong record in complex basement works. Our experience covers deep excavations, specialist waterproofing and the careful coordination of services within tight structural constraints.

These skills allowed us to manage every stage with confidence and ensure the basement integrated seamlessly into the overall design of the home.

From groundworks through to completion, our team oversaw each element with care and precision. The result is a modern residence built to the highest standard, combining contemporary architecture with robust construction that will stand the test of time.

We worked alongside Neil Choudhury Architects on this project and collaborated with a skilled group of contractors and suppliers who contributed their craftsmanship and expertise.

If you would like to discuss an upcoming project with us, please get in touch.

Contact us
📞 020 8968 8877
📧 [email protected]

To see more of our projects please click here.

Collaboration at the Heart of Tottenham’s Heritage Restoration

Posted on ZXCZXC9 September 20259 September 2025 by FJDigital

At Tottenham High Road, our heritage restoration of the Grade II* listed buildings continues to progress with care and precision. These historic properties, dating back to 1725, demand not only technical expertise but also collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Specialists work together at every stage of this project to ensure the right balance between restoration and modern use.. From heritage conservation experts to the architects leading the design, each partner plays a crucial role in safeguarding the history of these buildings while shaping their future.

In a recent walkthrough, conservation specialist Nathan Goss shared how every decision is taken with sensitivity to the fabric of the buildings. From carefully repairing historic lime plaster ceilings to reinstating centuries-old timber, his expertise ensures that original details are preserved wherever possible.

The architectural team, F3 Architects, also highlighted the delicate balance required to merge historic character with contemporary interventions. With new basement spaces and a planned ground floor extension set to introduce a café and gallery, their design approach respects the heritage context while preparing the buildings for new community use.

By working closely together, the project team is ensuring that the historic significance of these landmark properties is not only protected but enhanced for future generations.

To learn more about this fantastic heritage restoration project, click here.

Luxury Residential Transformation, Ealing

Posted on ZXCZXC28 August 202528 August 2025 by FJDigital

At Harris Calnan, we are currently delivering a full residential transformation of a private property on Carlton Road, Ealing, working closely with Beasley Dickson Architects and Foster Structures. This ambitious scheme brings together our expertise in complex construction with a strong design vision, creating a contemporary home finished to the highest specification.

The works include a complete strip-out of the existing house, the formation of a new basement beneath the original footprint, a rear extension, and a new roof structure with coverings. We will complete the property with high-end finished throughout, all designed with an emphasis on low-carbon, high-efficiency performance supported by a ground source heat pump.

On site, we are pleased to be collaborating with Malci Construction who are progressing the basement works, AGA Scaffolding who have delivered the elaborate temporary works, and Maralb Construction who have completed the roof strip ready for inspection. Recent site meetings with the wider project team have allowed us to review progress in detail and carefully coordinate the next stages of the build.

From light-filled new spaces to a bespoke basement designed for modern family life, the property will not only reflect architectural excellence but also provide a comfortable, sustainable and future-ready home for years to come.

This project is a prime example of how we bring together skilled craftsmanship, collaborative working, and sustainable design solutions. Once complete, this residential transformation will combine architectural elegance with modern energy-efficient performance, reflecting both the ambition of the client and the expertise of the team.

See the gallery below to see some of the work in progress and if you’d like to see more of our recently completed projects, click here.

Progress Update: High End Renovation, Islington

Posted on ZXCZXC8 August 20258 August 2025 by FJDigital

Work continues to move forward at pace on our high-end renovation and basement extension project in Islington, where we’re delivering a complete transformation at 6 Highbury Hill.

Designed in collaboration with Cousins & Cousins Architects, this project includes a full strip-out of the existing property, a lowered and extended basement, and a high-end fit-out throughout. With Stuart Eley as Quantity Surveyor and Constructure as structural engineers, the team is pushing ahead with both care and precision.

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Following recent progress on the basement shell, our in-house team has worked closely with Newton Waterproofing to ensure a robust waterproofing system is in place, ready for the installation of a polished concrete floor by Lazenby.

Externally, we’re restoring the original façade using a careful blend of new and traditional techniques, while above, the new roof is progressing well under full temporary cover.

A recent walk-around with the client and our site manager Brian provided a chance to review the ongoing work across every level of the home. With refurbished internals taking shape and the project moving into the next phase, this one is shaping up to be a standout example of collaboration and craftsmanship.

Most recently, we’ve also had the pleasure of working alongside Capital Rewire and Ember Lighting, who are supporting the next stage of internal works. This follows a visit from Estimus London, who installed the new slimline double glazed timber sash windows, now in place across the rear elevation.

Check out some of fantastic work in progress shots below to see the size of the incredible new basement space. We look forward to sharing more as the project develops.

To see more of our most recent work, please see our news page, and for completed projects and other high end renovations, check them out here.

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Restoring Tottenham’s Heritage: Grade II Listed Buildings Undergo Major Transformation

Posted on ZXCZXC4 July 20254 July 2025 by FJDigital

We’re proud to be delivering a significant heritage restoration project on Tottenham High Road, where we’re breathing new life into a trio of Grade II* listed buildings originally constructed in 1725.

Our team is carrying out a full renovation and refurbishment to restore the historic character of these buildings while bringing them up to modern standards.

Internally, we’ve lifted and reinstated original floorboards, upgraded fire barriers and services, and carefully restored historic lime plaster ceilings. Every step is being taken with sensitivity to the buildings’ heritage and original detailing.

Externally, we’ve formed a new basement using an underpin sequence and poured concrete slabs. This lower-ground space will support a new extension at ground floor level, which will eventually house a café and a gallery space, offering new life and purpose to these historic structures.

We’re currently awaiting the installation of bespoke architectural glazing and a zinc facade. Once these are in place, we’ll begin work on the ground floor extension, continuing the balance between restoration and modern design.

Watch a walkthrough of the site below:

This is a project that requires care, experience and collaboration at every stage and we’re excited to see it take shape. It’s already been a pleasure working alongside F3 Architects and Nathan Goss Conservation .

We’ll be posting regular updates as the build progresses and look forward to sharing more soon. To see what else we’ve been up to recently, please visit our projects page.