The Bird in Hand Hampstead marries historic elements with contemporary interventions, creating an exemplary sustainable mixed-use retrofit scheme. This Victorian building, located in North London, has undergone a remarkable transformation that promotes 24-hour usage, while also reinvigorating the high street.
Sector
Mixed-use
Location
Hampstead, London
Date
2018-2021
Client
Private
Area
580m²
Status
Completed
Axonometric of final scheme showing the rear extension development in the Bird in Hand Yard context
Architecture often begins with understanding and embracing the constraints of a particular brief and site. This proved especially true for the reconfiguration and extension of an existing building in Hampstead in North London, where – given its prominent yet nestled position between Hampstead High Street and Bird in Hand Yard – space was considerably confined. The Bird in Hand, once a local watering hole of Hampstead until it changed hands to The Dome cafe in the early 80’s and later Cafe Rouge, is a five-storey Victorian structure, which included two cramped flats to the upper floors, accessed via an external escape stair to the rear. It has been refurbished and extended to create retail units on the ground and basement levels, offices on the first floor, and two residential flats on the upper levels.
“The refurbishment and extension of The Bird in Hand Hampstead was very complex, given its historic setting and our ambition to create something unique and of outstanding quality. Patalab responded to the project challenges extremely competently and working with them was a great experience from the initial concept sketches to hand-over.”
Client Testimonial
Completed rear extension; first floor mezzanine view through rooflights toward existing butterfly roof
Completed rear extension; rear elevation view from Bird in Hand Yard
Existing and proposed section BB
Completed rear extension; external glimpse of suspended mezzanine through corner window
Design Approach
Rear Extension
The constraints informed a spatially economical yet refined approach to all aspects of the design; from the overall structural arrangement to the construction details. Working in close collaboration with structural engineers Michael Hadi Associates, this approach was articulated most elegantly through the evolution of the rear extension design. The resolution of the mezzanine support lead to distributing the structural load through a series of reduced, 40mm wide portal frames on which a series of suspension rods delicately poises the mezzanine level within the modest, mono-pitched volume. Inspired by the beautifully considered details of Carlo Scarpa and Japanese shoji screens, the fine, waxed mild steel structural components are celebrated and expressed through the playful junction details and complementing opaque resin infill panels.
The characteristic butterfly roof to the existing building informs the volumetric expression and chamfered brick reveals of the sensitively proportioned rear extension, which compliments the surrounding materiality. Whilst internally, light canons flood the new spaces below with daylight and offer a glimpse to the historical butterfly roof geometry above.
Completed third floor flat; light canon flooding entrance lobby with natural light and creating connection to the existing volume
“Their design radically transformed the internal arrangement of the building, making it more space efficient and placing a beautifully crafted staircase at its centre. With exceptional design skills, technical expertise and a thorough understanding of the construction process, Patalab are well rounded architects. But maybe even more importantly, through their personal engagement, professionalism and commitment to quality, Uwe and Simon became trusted project partners.”
Client testimonial
Completed rear extension; refined and slender mezzanine structural support details
Completed rear extension; transition between mezzanine balustrade and stair, with Shoji screen panels providing glimpses through
Completed rear extension; complimentary material palette, transitioning staircase and geometry echoing the existing
Steel Cantilevered Staircase
Encouraged by the refined proportions of the rear extension and mezzanine, this 40mm structural motif and materiality was echoed in the detailing of both the residential units and the new, waxed mild steel cantilevered staircase to the common area. Fabricated by Weber Industries and developed using a diverse range of traditional and contemporary design tools, the stair’s helical geometries and steel construction methods were also adopted to negotiate the generous floor to ceiling heights and challenging spatial constraints. The solid balustrade from entrance level elegantly transitions into an open one at first floor level, gradually demarcating the change of occupancy as one ascends from office use to residential on the upper two floors.
Completed rear extension; mezzanine stair transition to first floor office, with glimpses to existing rear elevation brick openings
Completed common area staircase; transition section between solid balustrade at ground floor level to open balustrade above, demarcating the change of use as one progresses up the flights
Completed common area staircase; transition section between solid balustrade at ground floor level to open balustrade above, and 40mm structural motif expressed
Axonometric of final scheme showing the rear extension development in the Bird in Hand Yard context
Hampstead Village
Perhaps both challenging and respecting the synonymous proverb, The Bird in Hand Hampstead, sustains yet maximises the potential of the existing by embracing its constraints to provide new, inspiring spaces for the centre of Hampstead Village.
The Bird in Hand Hampstead is one of the many schemes for private and commercial clients Patalab has realised in the London Borough of Camden over the past years. It is also one of numerous projects we completed in the Hampstead Village, which include Heath House, Casa Roja, Cascade House and Perrins Court Offices.
Awards
AJ Retrofit Awards
SHORTLISTED
SHORTLISTED
2022
