A family home on a sloping site in Hampstead Heath

Branch Hill House

Client: Private
Size: 8,856 sqft
Status: Completed
Structural Engineer: Sinclair Johnston & Partners
Quantity Surveyor: The Millbridge Group
M&E Engineer: Cundall
Environmental Consultant: Ashby Energy Assessors Ltd
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects

Completed in the 1990s, the house currently occupying this tight, sloped site has fallen into a state of extreme disrepair. This, coupled with poor floor to ceiling heights and issues with damp, prompted our client to commission the redevelopment of the site to provide a new home for their family. Given its location in the Conservation Area, featuring famed examples of modern residential architecture, MWA felt the site could accept a bold architectural statement. The proposed design provides a large contemporary family home set over four floors, including a swimming pool, gymnasium and large open-plan entertaining areas. Double height voids and sky-lit stairwells connect living spaces at all levels, which open out onto a series of external terraces and gardens.

The façade treatment was conceived as a ‘gilded cage’ set in front of muted black brickwork, providing solar shading and privacy from neighbouring properties, whilst allowing natural light to flood into the building, and opening up views of the dense foliage of the ‘Garden Suburb’. The design was given a unanimous approval by the local council development planning committee.

MWA completed the Interior Design and FF&E with the team incredibly pleased with the result. A tranquil haven has been created for the family taking inspiration from the soothing aesthetics of the surrounding Heath.

The interiors for the house were designed holistically to complement the open plan layout of the house, with a natural colour palette throughout and warmth and softness added through texture and layering of materials.

The furniture and lighting package consisted of a combination of both proprietary and bespoke pieces created alongside our expert furniture makers. The careful curation of both modern and artisan pieces provided the clients with a unique home.