A family home renovation in the heart of Hampstead by XUL Architecture

This family home situated on a popular 1930s street in the heart of Hampstead Garden Suburb has undergone a full renovation and rear extension.

The family recently grew in size with the addition of a baby, so the pressure was on to reimagine this house for the needs of a 21st-century family whilst respecting the history of a 1930s conservation area.

All photography by Matt Clayton

Design: XUL Architecture

XUL Architecture set about bringing light into this home through ingenious ways such as light panels either side of the front door drawing light into a previously dark entrance hall. As you arrive in the space, the view through to the garden is unobstructed with a clear line through the hallway and past the natural tones of the kitchen carpentry. A subtle rear extension created space for a skylight to fill the kitchen with light whilst staying within the guidelines of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust.

The clients chose a cool palette of blues and greens creating a cosy space in the evening, whilst during the day the rooms are filled with light and warmth. The house has clearly defined spaces for the family to live in, moving away from the trend of the last decade to open spaces up. Working from home with a young family created a need for partitioned spaces that can be used at different times of the day. These spaces all flow easily from one to another with the option of closing off for those important video meetings.

On the upper floors they opened up the ceiling where possible; the family bathroom and master bedroom were moved to the loft space to take advantage of the generous ceiling height that Hampstead Garden Suburb houses are renowned for. This helped bounce light around and make the spaces more visually appealing. Finally, the joinery in the loft rooms really makes best use of the substantial eaves.