Every building is unique and is a result of the function of the building, the site context, and the identity and aspirations of the inhabitants. It is the last that is the secret ingredient that gives the building its soul. The Woodland Warehouse, for which we have just obtained planning approval and will be released for tender shortly, is a major family home extension project [function] for a family who wants to maximise the view of Highgate Woods to the rear [context] that feels like an industrial building [identity and aspiratiration]. We have had immense fun translating ‘warehouse’ into a light-filled building constructed of Northumberland sandstone with an exposed timber ceiling that will showcase the owners’ eclectic furniture collection. An internal courtyard and raked roof maximises the daylight within the heart of the building and the view of the tree canopy of Highgate Woods to the rear.

We spend our time inventing great ‘fit and flow architecture’ that creates a new, socially-sustainable future for people. It’s a process that takes a lot of scenario planning.

We realised that our own visual identity didn’t communicate this so we called in the professionals. Firstly we scenario-planned our future with Sue Austin Consulting and Office Dave Sharp based on our architectural and business aspirations and comparing them with Dave’s conversations with our past clients. This gave us hard facts with which to create a strategy for the studio’s future. TM Studio and Free Projects then translated the strategy into a new visual identity. The ‘Untitled Sans’ typeface reflects our values of providing everything you need, and nothing you don’t. The logo fits the page, no matter the size, and the editorial-style layout flows beautifully.

We believe that every home should have an atrium. Mulroy has two projects shortlisted for the British Homes Awards 2025, No Ordinary House and Russet House. Both are whole-house refurbishments located in London that share the common themes of creating an architecture that ‘fits’ the extended family, now and in the future, and ‘flows’ effortlessly from the front door through to the landscape at the rear so that the house and garden feel connected. Both projects feature light-filled basements that provide valuable new living areas to support future multi-generational living. The dramatic atria make the basement feel connected to the original house.

In our third shortlisting in the British Homes Awards since 2021 we have transformed a large Victorian home by giving it an Australian flavour. The radical extension project increased the size of the house by 30% and was achieved by adding an angled 9m deep extension and a large basement. The key design change was to relocate the existing stair that blocked the view to the garden from the entrance hall. This created a wide vista to the rear garden from the entrance hall, improving the flow to the basement and flooding the interior with light.

We celebrated Mulroy’s 15th birthday at the Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy. The two-night trip started with the team taking two water taxis into the heart of the city from the airport followed by dinner at La Caravella. The day trip to the Biennale, entitled ‘The Laboratory of the Future’ curated by Lesley Lokko was the focus of the next day. The exhibits and installations from many nations explored the twin themes of decolonisation and decarbonisation. The visit also gave the opportiunity to see wonderful architecture, both new and old, including the Olivetti Showroom (1958) on Piazza San Marco by Carlo Scarpa.

We were invited to collaborate with Manoj Malde, a renowned landscape designer who Mulroy has worked with previously, to design a pavilion for the RHS Feature Garden. The garden, titled The Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, holds pride of place in the exhibition and is intended promote inclusivity and that horticulture is for everyone, everywhere. The pavilion is inspired by the poetry of Maya Angelou and the line ‘be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.  The bright colours are the shafts of light radiating down from the cloud canopy and are inspired by Manoj’s Indian heritage. The team, including Mulroy’s pavilion designer, Adha Salim, were invited for a private view with Manoj. The pavilion was also the venue for Manoj’s wedding to his partner and collaborator, Clive Gilmour.