Hampstead Architects

bathroom with rolltop bath, marble floors, brass taps and tadelakt walls

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Author: Amrit Marway, Architect, AA Dipl RIBA

ARB registration no. 077479K

Amrit is currently leading a sensitive refurbishment and basement extension to a historic detached house in Chelsea. She has considerable experience working on residential projects in London and has recently designed a housing-led regeneration scheme in Barking and Dagenham.

Contact me: 020 3637 4236

Introduction

Architecture for London are experienced RIBA chartered architects in Hampstead. We work across Hampstead Village, Hampstead Garden Suburb and the wider borough of Camden, with a particular focus on high‑quality residential architecture.

Our Hampstead portfolio includes projects at Gainsborough Gardens, Tanza Road, Willoughby Road and Lady Margaret Road. Our Gainsborough Gardens project, located in the Hampstead Conservation Area, saw us refurbish and extend a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts house. At Tanza Road, we designed a large rear extension to create an improved kitchen and living space at lower ground floor.

hampstead house garden design ideas — Our house extension and garden design at Tanza Road, NW3.

Our architects have significant experience refurbishing and extending Victorian and Georgian heritage properties, including listed buildings and homes in conservation areas. We design and build sustainable residential projects in collaboration with our in‑house construction team, AFL Build.

Hampstead’s historic architecture

Hampstead is a charming area that has preserved its 18th-century village feel. It has characterful cobbled streets, steep lanes, and independent shops and cafés. Its unique topography features narrow, winding streets and footpaths that invite exploration. From the 18th century onward, its elevated location and position away from London drew wealthy residents, resulting in the construction of grand villas and townhouses, many of which are still present today.

The area now boasts a diverse architectural landscape, ranging from large Arts & Crafts homes to Georgian cottages. The variety in rooflines, architectural styles and building scales reflects Hampstead’s rich history and contributes to its unique sense of place. Extensive greenery and open spaces, including Hampstead Heath, further enhance its appeal. The dense village centre contrasts with the more spacious outer streets, offering a balance of vibrant urban life and tranquil, leafy surroundings.

hampstead house rear extension with red brick and a natural stone lintel — Our traditional rear extension to a Grade II listed, architect-designed house in Gainsborough Gardens, Hampstead, NW3.

Conservation areas in Hampstead

Hampstead was one of the first conservation areas to be created following the Town & Country Planning Act in 1968. This recognition reflects the area’s distinctive historic character and architectural quality. The conservation area status aims to preserve both the built form and the landscape qualities of the village.

Hampstead has a detailed conservation area design guide, and an Article 4 Direction is in place that withdraws permitted development rights to any part of a property that faces the street. As a result, many works that might be permitted elsewhere require planning permission in Hampstead.

London traditional house extension design — Our modern rear extension to a house in a conservation area in Tanza Road, Hampstead, NW3.

Hampstead architects: planning policy

The Hampstead conservation area design guide and Camden’s planning policies ensure that alterations respect the existing building fabric and historic character. Key principles from the guidance include:

Permission is usually required to enlarge or alter a residential property. This includes replacing any part of a window or a door
No alterations should be made to the appearance of an existing decorative feature
Front elevations cannot normally be painted if this would differ from the traditional surface treatment
Alterations to a roof or chimney will require planning consent
Altering or removing a gate, wall or fence at the front of a property generally requires planning consent

The design guide highlights the importance of preserving period features while improving the thermal performance and sustainability of homes. It sets out appropriate ways of reducing heat loss from historic windows and doors, such as secondary glazing, draught‑proofing and sensitive repair rather than replacement.

Hampstead heath house design — Hampstead architects: our red brick rear extension to a house in a conservation area in Tanza Road, Hampstead, NW3.

Listed building consent in Hampstead

Hampstead has over 300 listed buildings. Listed buildings are buildings of special historical or architectural significance, and therefore benefit from additional protection. Before making alterations to a listed building, the Local Planning Authority (Camden) must grant specific listed building consent. It is a criminal offence to carry out alterations to a listed building without this consent. A listed building application must be sent to the LPA.

Our Gainsborough Gardens residential project included significant alterations to a Grade 2 listed building. The existing house, designed by EJ May, a notable Victorian Architect, is a traditional Arts and Crafts semi-detached villa. Key features of interest in this home include an arched, brick and stucco banded porch entrance and a large stained glass window that illuminates the hall and stairs over the ground and first floors.

Our Hampstead architects designed a new rear extension finished in red brick and stone to complement the original materials of the property. The extension was carefully detailed to sit comfortably alongside the historic fabric while providing modern, light‑filled living spaces.

Dartmouth Park two storey rear extension design with stone cladding and barbecue — Our large rear extension to a house near Hampstead Heath, in Dartmouth Park

Our architectural projects in Hampstead

At Gainsborough Gardens, the house is a fine example of late‑Victorian Arts and Crafts design. The Arts and Crafts movement sought to re‑establish craftsmanship skills that were threatened by industrialisation. Typical features include large, elaborate chimneys, wide porches, built‑in joinery and window seating.

Our new kitchen and rear extension at Gainsborough Gardens are designed to respond sensitively to this context. Internal finishes are a muted palette of stone and timber, and the proposed brickwork of the rear extension complements the original facade. Overall, the building celebrates craftsmanship through the use of traditional techniques and carefully specified natural materials.

Hampstead house by Architecture for London with a glass extension to the rear — Hampstead architects: our glass rear extension to a house in Hampstead Heath, NW3

Our process included sourcing materials locally where possible, and the sculpted brick facades reference notable Arts and Crafts homes, including William Morris’ Red House. The result is a contemporary addition that feels rooted in Hampstead’s architectural heritage.

At Tanza Road, NW3, we designed a large rear extension and reconfigured the lower ground floor to create a generous open‑plan kitchen, dining and living space with improved connection to the garden. Large glazed openings maximise daylight and create views to the landscaped garden, robust materials, including natural stone and new red brickwork, ensure longevity and ease of use for family life.

Nearby, in Dartmouth Park, close to Hampstead Heath, we have completed a substantial concrete and glass rear extension and full refurbishment of a Victorian house. This project demonstrates our expertise in upgrading the performance and layout of existing homes while retaining the character of original facades and key internal features.

Creating Sustainable Homes in Hampstead

Many local homes are Gerogian, Victorian or Edwardian and were not designed with thermal comfort or low-energy standards in mind. Our approach focuses on:

Improving thermal performance through internal insulation, careful airtightness measures and sensitive window upgrades.
Upgrading building services with efficient heating systems, underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery where appropriate.
Using natural, low‑VOC materials to create healthy interiors.

We aim to significantly reduce operational energy use while protecting the historic character of Hampstead’s building stock.

A traditional Plain English kitchen in a London house interior — A traditional kitchen in our Gainsborough Gardens House, NW3

Why choose us as your Hampstead architects?

Local experience: We have worked on numerous local projects in Hampstead Village, and the surrounding areas of Primrose Hill, Belsize Park and Dartmouth Park. We understand local streetscapes and typical building types.
Planning expertise: Our team is familiar with Camden’s planning policies and the Hampstead conservation area design guide, enabling us to navigate complex consents efficiently.
Heritage focus: We are experienced in working with listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, retaining period features while delivering contemporary, comfortable homes.
Tailored service: We take time to understand our clients’ needs, lifestyles and long‑term plans, creating bespoke designs that maximise space, light and value.

Our typical projects in Hampstead include:

Rear, side and mansard roof extensions to family homes
Full internal refurbishments and reconfigurations
Basement extensions
Loft conversions and roof terrace additions
Interior architecture and bespoke joinery design
Garden rooms and studio spaces

We work from initial feasibility studies and planning applications, through technical design, tender and contract administration, to completion on site.

Architecture for London has extensive experience working on residential projects in Hampstead. We design inspiring homes, both contemporary and traditional, while responding carefully to Camden’s planning and conservation policies and to the unique character of each street.

Discover Architecture for London’s projects. If you are looking for Hampstead architects and would like to discuss your project, please contact us.