HAMPSTEAD

with Chris Dyson Architects

This Hampstead terrace house within the Camden Conservation Area was originally completed in 1886. The terrace follows a steep incline so the raised ground floors and stepped entrances are a defining characteristic. Due to this sloped topography, the existing North facing rear garden was higher up than the lower ground floor, but inaccessible from the ground floor. The owners keenly felt this lack of coherent connection to their ground floor living and kitchen spaces. Additionally, the proximity of the raised garden affected light levels in the house and the lower ground floor suffered from damp along one wall. It was therefore little used. The owners, a busy family of 5, felt the house needed dramatic change in order to fulfil its potential and provide the spaces they needed as individuals and together as a family.

Working closely with the family, we tested various extension and arrangement options, opting to overhaul, damp-proof and extend the lower ground floor to become the prime family kitchen and dining space with Crittall style glazing opening out on to the garden. The existing closet wing was hollowed out and a sweeping bespoke timber and steel feature staircase added, flowing past a two storey window. The garden was excavated into a tiered formation with stepped planting and external dining zones rising up away from the house, letting in more light to the property and opening up views. A ground floor terrace was also introduced above the extension, its large walk-on rooflight letting light deep into the plan. The terrace was given its own stepped access down to the garden creating much needed cohesion between the restored formal reception spaces at ground level, and the lower-ground and garden family spaces below. Beautiful bespoke joinery including new kitchen, dining and seating areas were added alongside restored fireplaces and reinstated original features.

Completed whilst working as an Associate at Chris Dyson Architects, I was involved from initial concept stage to planning, detailed design and tender stage. The project has since finished, click the image above to view it on the Chris Dyson Architects website.