CONSERVATION AREA RENOVATION

Hampstead Garden Suburb

A whole-house renovation in one of London's most protected conservation areas, approved by both the Trust and council.

Key transformations

  • Reconfigured ground floor plan for improved flow and garden connection.

  • Converted attached garage into utility, WC, and living space.

  • Installed heritage-compliant Clement steel double-glazed windows.

  • Created bespoke dark oak joinery spine for storage and spatial definition.

  • Added rear patio with integrated planters to bridge house and garden.

Heritage Context
Hampstead Garden Suburb Conservation Area, governed by Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust.

Approvals
Trust sign-off and London Borough of Barnet planning and building control.

Scope
Plan reconfiguration, garage conversion, bespoke joinery spine, heritage-compliant windows, rear patio and landscape.

Services
Architecture and interior design.

Project Type
Long-term family home.

Value Indicator
London projects typically from £300k+ construction. value

Architect & Design Team
Principel Designer – Daniel Rees
Project Architects – Eleni Mertzidi

FROM THE HOMEOWNERS

“It’s hard to describe in words how much we enjoyed working with Rees Architects. From Day 1, their professionalism, creativity, collaboration, and support completely exceeded our expectations. They have truly designed our dream home, and it is such a joy to live in a space that feels like a perfect blend of our style and their vision. We were fortunate to work closely with Eleni, who is incredibly diligent, thoughtful and skilled. We also greatly benefited from Dan's guidance and industry expertise - which was necessary as our home is based in a conservation area with a highly engaged Conservation Trust. I would not hesitate a second to work with the Rees Architects team again, and would recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and design-orientated architect studio.”

The Brief

The clients had lived in this 1930s suburb house for several years and wanted to reconfigure it for long-term family use — without compromising its heritage character.

  • Improve flow between living spaces and garden

  • Reclaim underused footprint (garage, circulation)

  • Upgrade thermal performance and comfort within Trust-compliant constraints

Constraints

Hampstead Garden Suburb is one of the most protected residential areas in England. Every external change requires Trust approval before council submission. Internal works must respect the character of the original architecture.

  • All materials, external details, and suppliers subject to Trust scrutiny

  • Windows required Trust-approved heritage-compliant specification (Clement steel, double-glazed)

  • Façade alterations limited; rear elevation changes carefully negotiated

  • Garage conversion required integration with existing building line and materials

  • Extended approval timeline due to dual Trust + council process

Heritage approvals and decision sequencing

Projects in Hampstead Garden Suburb require a sequenced approach — early alignment with the Trust, careful specification, and coordinated council submissions. Rushing leads to refusals; ambiguity leads to delay.

Concept alignment
Initial design tested against Trust guidelines before formal submission

Trust dialogue
Material palette, window specification, and external details reviewed and approved

Council coordination
Planning and building control submissions aligned with Trust position

Specification discipline
Approved suppliers and details carried through to procurement

Site compliance
Construction monitored to ensure approved details were executed correctly

Performance and longevity

Windows
Clement steel double-glazed units, heritage-compliant and Trust-approved — improved thermal performance without compromising appearance

Insulation
Upgraded where possible within the existing envelope

Future-proofing
Loft structure prepared for potential future conversion; services integrated for long-term adaptability

Durability
Material selections prioritised longevity and maintenance simplicity over trend

Key Moves

Joinery spine as organiser

A continuous dark oak joinery element runs through the ground floor — housing utilities, concealing storage, and defining spatial zones. Sliding doors within the joinery allow rooms to open or close as needed.

Light and flow control

The new plan allows daylight to move through the house while giving the family control over privacy and connection. Full-height curtains and integrated doors modulate openness without structural change.

Reclaimed footprint

The attached garage — previously underused — was converted into a utility room, WC, and additional living space. The conversion respected the original building line and external materials.

Garden connection

A new rear patio with integrated planters bridges the house and garden. Planting softens the transition; materials were selected to satisfy Trust requirements for rear elevation works.

“Working in Hampstead Garden Suburb carries a particular responsibility. These homes sit within one of London’s most rigorously protected conservation areas, where materials, proportions and detailing are scrutinised carefully by both the Local Authority and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust. Navigating that dual layer of oversight requires more than compliance, it demands thoughtful authorship. Every brick, window profile and junction must contribute to a coherent whole. Our role is to hold that vision consistently, balancing conservation requirements with the realities of contemporary family life.

The outcome is not simply an approved scheme, but a home that feels warmer, lighter and more generous, while remaining unmistakably part of Hampstead Garden Suburb.”

Daniel Rees, Director & Lead Architect

Considering a project in a conservation area or listed building?

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London projects typically range from £300k+ construction value