Highlever House: Modern Craftsmanship for a Calming Contemporary Home

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.

New Build with Expansive Basement in St Albans

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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.

Luxury Residential Transformation, Ealing

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.

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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.

Project Showcase: Luxury Renovation

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Carlton Hill: A Luxury Renovation in St John’s Wood

Harris Calnan is proud to unveil the completion of a landmark project in St John’s Wood, a large-scale luxury renovation and basement conversion that showcases the very best of high-end residential construction.

Working alongside M W Architects and The Millbridge Group, this exceptional transformation involved retaining the original façade while completely rebuilding the structure behind, including the addition of a newly constructed basement.

The result is a home that seamlessly balances timeless architectural character with contemporary luxury. From the carefully curated materials to the uncompromising level of craftsmanship throughout, every detail reflects the quality and precision that Harris Calnan is known for.

The original façade of this period property was sensitively retained, preserving its heritage presence, while the entire structure behind was meticulously rebuilt. A newly excavated basement was added to increase living space and functionality without compromising on proportion or flow.

Inside, the property reveals a sophisticated and carefully curated interior palette. The formal sitting room is a masterclass in balance; fluted joinery and integrated lighting frame the bespoke marble fireplace, while soft furnishings in muted tones bring warmth and texture. Full-height Crittall-style doors lead from the hallway into the space, maintaining an open feel while providing elegant separation.

Carlton Hill reflects the collaborative expertise of an exceptional team, including those mentioned above but also Pringuer James, Blackburn & Co, Malci Construction, Maralb Construction, Haddonstone Ltd, Marble Bros, The Blacksmiths Shop, Calin Metals, CMD Bespoke, LDN Leadwork, Glazing Vision, VELUX, IQ Glass, Perla Windows, Domus Tiles, Salisbury Joinery and the Norden Group.

To discuss your upcoming project with us, contact our team:
📞 020 8968 8877
📧 [email protected]

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Photos by Adam Letch Photography

To see more from this stunning project, check out our Projects Page.