HASA Architects bring a disused glasshouse back into use in Highgate

The derelict glasshouse at Highgate Bowl is now a fully functional event space for a future Mr and Mrs to announce their big day

HASA Architects have refurbished an out of use horticultural glasshouse in Highgate Bowl, completely renovating the disused space to make it a prime events location for exhibitions and performances.

Based in Bloomsbury, HASA Architects work spans everything from new housing, transformative interventions, interiors, installations, products and artworks that combine beauty and functionality. Their young team is made up of architects as well as designer-makers. The team took on the project in February with the promise of it being completed by the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show in May. All the works to the building were carried out within six weeks of the start date.

The client, Omved International, have run Natco Foods, a non-profit food production company, for the last 60 years. Omved Gardens is a uniquely integrated part of the Highgate Bowl and a key player in its process of rejuvenation.

The new space took inspiration from the original glasshouse, retaining the large open bays and populating the building with furniture pieces such as new doors with oversized handles, and internal pathways.

On-trend birch plywood finished in white Osmo oil was employed as a skin for the building, whilst a dark finish coats the existing structural components of the building, providing an elegant monochrome look.

“The fragile nature of the glass creates an environment where you can’t help but be conscious of your surroundings,” said co-founder, Mark Stevens. “We were keen to enhance the visitor experience and reassert elements of the building and landscape that had been lost. Throughout the construction period, the extensive groundworks and articulation of the landscape has also restored the prominence of the two willow trees which frame the glasshouse.”

The resulting space is oh-so-instagrammable; one of understated elegance with an emphasis on natural light and harmonious interaction between the integrated internal areas. Flooded with light, the structure sits unobtrusively within the surrounding Highgate landscape and would make a budding artist, party boy or girl or happy couple the perfect entertaining space for a special occasion```.