Many homes deal with the garden as something different from daily life, something to take a look at through a window or visit when the weather is excellent. This home in Hampstead, revamped by MATA Architects, takes a much more linked method. Created for a family with teenage children, the project concentrates on transforming the lower ground flooring and rethinking how the house relates to its south-facing garden. Rather than including space for the sake of it, the redesign enhances the way the home is lived in and how each room connects to the outdoors.
Before the remodelling, your house sat well above the garden, with a long staircase developing a clear sense of separation between within and outdoors. The designers fixed this by bringing the primary home closer to the landscape. The brand-new extension actions practically a meter lower than the original level, positioning the living room straight along with the garden. This simple shift modifications everything. The ceilings feel taller, natural light reaches deeper into the interior, and the garden enters into daily life instead of sensation like a different location at the bottom of the plot.
Designer: MATA Architects
< img src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/04/a-house-in-london-where-floors-drop-walls-vanish-and-the-garden-moves-in/Hampstead_home_architecture_02.jpg"alt=""width ="1280"height= "960 "/ > The surrounding trees played a major function in forming the style.
Because of root defense zones, the footprint of the extension had to be carefully planned. Instead of forcing a basic option onto the site, the architects enabled these constraints to assist the final form. That mindful reaction offers the job a sense of balance, as though it belongs naturally within its setting. The materials assist strengthen that sensation. The outside is covered in hit-and-miss iroko wood battens, which include texture and warmth while softening the lines of the new addition. Above, a tapering roofing system stretches outward to provide shade during warmer months. Its underside is completed in mirror-polished stainless steel, reflecting the trees and sky overhead. It is a subtle information, however an efficient one, helping the roofing system feel lighter and less dominant in the garden.
The standout feature is the completely glazed corner dealing with the balcony. Large moving glass panels satisfy without a visible assistance, allowing the corner to open entirely when the doors are drawn back. When open, the living room streams straight onto the balcony and into the garden beyond. When closed, the glazing still preserves clear views and fills the interior with daytime. It is the type of function that looks impressive, but it also truly improves how the house works.
Inside, the reduced living-room sits at the heart of the extension. The slight modification in flooring level assists specify the area within the open plan layout without the need for walls. Full-height glazing keeps the space intense throughout the day, while views of plant are visible from almost every angle. Built-in wood shelving adds warmth and prevents the space from feeling too very little or exposed. It likewise offers helpful storage and offers the living area a stronger sense of identity.
< img src ="// www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201280%20960%22%3E%3C/svg%3E "data-src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/04/a-house-in-london-where-floors-drop-walls-vanish-and-the-garden-moves-in/Hampstead_home_architecture_06.jpg"alt =""width ="1280"height="960"/ > Dinesen ash flooring runs throughout the interior, producing continuity and a calm, natural base for the spaces above it. In the kitchen area, a big island in Bianco Eclipse quartzite acts as both a working surface area and an event point. Positioned centrally, it allows clear views throughout the living room and out to the garden, helping the kitchen feel connected to the rest of the home. Next to it, the dining location brings a slightly more intimate environment. A wood-lined alcove, fireplace, and built-in bar make it similarly suited to household suppers or hosting good friends. Smaller sized spaces have actually been given the very same level of attention. The powder room includes a sculptural stone sink, integrating rough texture with tidy detailing, softened by warm wood and subtle lighting.
The personal spaces continue the same thoughtful approach. The primary suite combines sleeping, working, and bathing in one cohesive space, complete with an integrated study area and an ensuite with a lumber soaking tub, concrete sinks, and stainless steel fittings. Another bedroom includes its own fireplace, including warmth and character. What makes this home successful is that every design decision feels purposeful. Absolutely nothing exists just to impress. By lowering the main spaces and opening them completely to the garden, MATA Architects have actually turned an as soon as disconnected outside area into the natural center of the home.
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