pH Architects

Pinnacle N10

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

PINNACLE N10

pH+

ARCHITECTS
pH+

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT
Sweco

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Jackson Coles

MANUFACTURERS
Brick Supplier, Cladding Supplier, Stone Banding

PLANNING SUPERVISOR
Haringey Council

PROJECT MANAGER
Jamm Living

PLANNING CONSULTANT
Savills

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Mason Navarro Pledge

M&E CONSULTANT
Sweco

CLIENTS
Jamm Living

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tim Soar

AREA
4218 m²

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Greater London, United Kingdom

CATEGORY
Apartments

pH+ has completed its contemporary housing scheme that follows the sloping topography of Muswell Hill in north London.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

Divided into three separate sections, Pinnacle N10 is the product of a detailed analysis of the local Edwardian context, with a modular reinterpretation of the surrounding housing stock that has been applauded by the resident Conservation Officer.

This response to the characterful neighbouring houses has driven the design, which shifts and changes as the development descends the hill, addressing specific site conditions.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

The first section of the project is a conversion of an existing building into eight new flats, with a community and commercial space below.

This was originally intended to house the CPotential school for children with cerebral palsy, which has now moved to a nearby site and is in the process of fundraising for a new-build timber structure also designed by pH+.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

In the latter and central part of the scheme, six new modular houses now step down the hill, broken up by a series of deep recesses that form terraces for the occupants.

These reveals are lined with metal panels that change colour for each property and the palette continues onto interior details, providing each home with its own identity.

In the third and final part of the development, a horizontal block contains 14 apartments and features a distinct sawtooth profile at the rear, designed to extend views for residents and required to prevent overlooking of the neighbouring gardens.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

Pinnacle N10 features carefully selected materials that are used in sensitive and pragmatic ways. The detailing had to be of the highest calibre to address the quality of the local context.

The brickwork is organised in a Raking Monk pattern and provides a contemporary aesthetic, cascading easily with the stepping profile.

No cut bricks were used on site which provided significant cost benefits, while stone banding was made from the largest possible pieces and cut to accentuate the diagonal topography of the site.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

The overall effect of these devices is to maintain the rich sculptural quality of the neighbouring houses but without resorting to pastiche.

Andy Puncher, Director of pH+, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this contemporary interpretation of a classical language.

With the support of a great client, we have been able to ensure that high design standards continued throughout this project.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar

It was important that these houses sit well within their urban context and remain part of an evolving streetscape. We have created an appropriate scale for a development that belies its density.

Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar
Pinnacle N10
© Tim Soar


Pinnacle N10
Scheme Elevation


Pinnacle N10
Lower and Ground Floor Plans
Pinnacle N10
Block A / First and Second Floor Plans
Pinnacle N10
Block B / Terrace Plans
Pinnacle N10
Block C / Plans
Pinnacle N10
Site Plan

pH Architects
T +61 400 784779
pH Architects
Level 2/491 King St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia