Derelict glasshouse in London transformed by up-and-coming architects HASA
As seen in the Wallpaper* September Style Special (W*246)

HASA Architects has transformed a derelict glasshouse into a modern, minimalist event space in a north London former nursery. Drawing on their fascination for beautiful sites and unconventional projects, the team of architects – headed by Charlotte Harris and Mark Stevens – worked to adjust, expand and bring the existing structure to the 21st century; all set amid a leafy landscaped site by designers Buono Gazerwitz Landscape Architecture.
The architects approached the current owners, Karen and Lekhu Pagarani, in 2017, proposing the update of the neglected glasshouse in Highgate, and despite time and budgetary constraints, they created a striking space that combines glass and birch plywood. The ply panels are finished in white Osmo oil for a light, smooth feel, while careful detailing and architectural gestures, such as replacing the original doors with plywood ones, create a sense of seamlessness and coherence throughout.
For the Wallpaper* September Style Special (W*246) photographer Dham Srifuengfung and Wallpaper* editor Jason Hughes orchestrated a fashion shoot at Omved Gardens in Highgate by HASA architects
The simple nature of the original architecture served as a source of inspiration, so the interiors are now suitably clean and uncluttered – fittingly so, for a multi-functional space that caters for a range of activities, from talks to exhibitions and other private and community events. Flexibility was key and the architects went back a few months after completion to adapt the space even further, adding a functioning kitchen to the mix.
Now, the glasshouse at Omved Gardens is a thriving place for inspiration and events of all kinds, and its contemporary, well thought out architecture plays a key role in that. ‘The project aims to explore the possibilities of this forgotten piece of the city', say the architects on their website; and it sounds like thanks to their design, this architectural space is now back at the heart of the local community.
INFORMATION
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Ten super-cool posters for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics have just been unveiled
The Olympic committees asked ten young artists for their creative take on the 2026 Milano Cortina Games
-
A local architect’s guide to Accra
Alice Asafu-Adjaye, founder of architecture studio Mustard, describes the Ghanaian capital as spicy, colourful and loud. Here’s how to tap into its contagious energy
-
NoMad London’s new restaurant fast-tracks you to New York’s jazz age
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio conjures up old-world glamour at Twenty8 NoMad, where the menu features nearly as many martini variations as main courses
-
A new London exhibition explores the legacy of Centre Pompidou architect Richard Rogers
‘Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings’ – opening tomorrow at Sir John Soane’s Museum – examines Rogers’ high-tech icons, which proposed a democratic future for architecture
-
At the Royal Academy summer show, architecture and art combine as never before
The Royal Academy summer show is about to open in London; we toured the iconic annual exhibition and spoke to its curator for architecture, Farshid Moussavi
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshop
New Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on life
Thanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilion
Lego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interior
Abbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative history
Maich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior