A complete refurbishment and extension of a 5-storey townhouse within the Hampstead Conservation Area, Camden. Works internal re-planning, a new rear extension, a new front dormer, and a landscaped garden.
The primary design goal was to improve the flow and functionality of the ground and lower ground floor. A significant issue was the location of the dining room (at the front of the ground floor) in relation to the location of the kitchen (at the rear of the lower ground). Furthermore, the existing kitchen had limited access to daylight and was sunken down below the rear garden level, resulting in a cold and gloomy space.
By opening up the lower ground floor and extending into the garden we were able to bring both the kitchen and dining functions onto a single level. A very generous kitchen island became the heart of the space, and fully glazed sliding doors with rooflights above created a light and airy dining space with casual seating.
Externally the extension was clad in bespoke curved porcelain tiles, positioned vertically to create a fluted effect on the elevation and allow the side walls to smoothly curve in to meet the sliding doors.
As the extensions roof was fully visible from the ground floor rear windows, a green roof sown with sedum and wildflowers was installed to create a ‘second garden’ at ground floor level. This had the additional benefits of mitigating rainwater runoff and increasing biodiversity.
Set within the green roof were a number of circular rooflights, to bring daylight into the dining space. When viewed from below, these circular rooflights are detailed with a soft curving edge so they smoothly blend into the surrounding ceiling.
At the top of the house, a new, south-facing dormer was constructed to create a welcoming guest bedroom, with a study and ensuite to the rear. As the property is part of Victorian terrace in a conservation area, timber framed, paned casement windows were specified, and the dormer was t traditionally detailed with leaded cheeks.
A lighter touch was applied to the intermediate floors, with care taken to preserve the period features of the house. Inappropriate interventions (such as a glazed screen bisecting the stairway and ground floor level) were removed and more sympathetic replacements installed. Original doors were upgraded to fire doors, fireplaces were restored and damaged cornicing was carefully replaced. Bathrooms and ensuites were fully refurbished, and all building services were brought up to modern standards.
In terms of materials and finishes chosen for the project, the interior design strategy sought to complement the properties original features, such as the geometric tiling in the entrance hall, and the vivid stained glass to the front elevation. A pallet of rich, deeper greens, blues and greys was used, complemented with walnut veneers, smoked oak and poured resin flooring. The stairwell and hallways were finished in a natural lime plaster, bringing lightness and movement to the middle of the house. Bathrooms and ensuites were given a botanical theme, with water resistant printed murals and natural toned porcelain tiles.
The rear garden was substantially excavated to accommodate the new rear extension and lowered patio, and the retaining wall was stepped to provide an external storge bench. The hard landscaping was finished in concrete and deep red brown Corten tones, contrasting with the carefully chosen planting scheme to the garden behind. Circular Corten planters added height to the rear garden created a link to the circular rooflights inside.
Another project involving a rear extension and garden design can be seen here
Main Contractor: Hallpark Construction Ltd
Architect: Hatterwan Architects
Structural Engineer: Elite Designers Ltd
Garden Designer: Emma Griffin Garden Design
Party Wall Surveyor: Marc Newton Associates (London)
Kitchen Specialist: Fontana
Resin Floor: Sphere8
Slimline sliding doors: Fineline Aluminium
Bespoke Façade Tiles: Teamworkitaly
Photography: Hatterwan Architects