On a key corner site in north London, HAT Projects designed a new development of 45 affordable sale apartments, for design-led developer Pocket Living. The design was guided by the desire to make a strong urban statement in an area with very mixed and patchy existing architecture.

The project is formed of two interlinked volumes, gently angled in plan and elevation to respond to the unusual geometry of the site which has no right angles. In a strong red brick, with glazed brick and ceramic cladding to the ground floor and top storey 'crown', it defines the corner and creates a generous urban streetscape with the tall plane trees that already line the road.

We enjoyed playing with the design in order to make every facade subtly different in the way windows are set within their reveals. This stops the repetitive window rhythm of the Pocket template being translated into a monotonous building, and gives the project a generosity and attention to detail, reminiscent of Victorian civic architecture.