The architect-owners of a mid-20th-century Brutalist house in the Highgate section of London wanted it updated, but didn't have the time to do it themselves. Knowing that Duggan Morris Architects shared their appreciation for the original building's aesthetic, they hired the firm to execute a thorough renovation.

Design concept and solution: The program revolved around the twin strategies of retention and invention. The most obvious retention was the renovation of the external blockwork to closely match its original state from 1967. Where elements were replaced, the team sought to replicate the original with close matching contemporary components. For example, the rear glazing and prism were replaced with double-glazed units designed to closely match the original, while the thin screed layer at ground floor level was removed and replaced with a new build-up of insulation, a wet under-floor heating system, and a polished concrete topping.