Overview
London-based architectural practice Hayhurst and Co undertook a significant interior reorganization of a 1970s Hampstead townhouse. The project centered on the creation of a triple-height void within the structure, a design intervention that redefined the internal spatial experience. This extensive overhaul was executed while maintaining the distinctive exterior characteristics of the original building.
Project Context
The Hampstead Town House, situated in north London, was originally designed in 1970. Its initial architectural conception is attributed to architects Igal Yawetz and Howard Radley. The dwelling is characterized in the source as a "skinny house," suggesting a narrow structural footprint. Hayhurst and Co's project focused on this specific property, acknowledging its existing architectural heritage from the 1970s.
Design Approach
Hayhurst and Co's approach involved a complete overhaul of the townhouse's interior. The core element of this transformation was the "carving" of a triple-height void. This suggests a significant structural modification to introduce a vertical open space spanning three stories. The design strategy explicitly aimed to reorganize the internal layout around this new central feature. A key tenet of the project was the retention of the house's original exterior, indicating a focus on internal transformation rather than external façade alteration.
Key Architectural Interventions
- Triple-Height Void: The central design element introduced was a void extending vertically across three levels of the house.
- Interior Reorganization: The internal spaces of the townhouse were reconfigured around this new void.
- Exterior Preservation: The distinctive 1970s exterior of the house was explicitly retained as part of the project's scope.