Architecture studio Pinzauer has successfully transformed a historic Victorian townhouse in Hampstead into four contemporary apartments, adding a striking concrete-framed extension that creates a modern pavilion effect. The project, located on Maresfield Gardens in the prestigious Fitzjohns/Netherhall Conservation Area, represents a thoughtful blend of 19th-century heritage architecture with bold contemporary design elements.
The red-brick townhouse carries significant historical importance, having previously served as the home of The Anna Freud Centre, a children's mental health charity founded by the daughter of renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Pinzauer was commissioned to restore the building's original residential purpose while creating four individual apartment units that maximize natural light and garden views.
"We saw the project as an opportunity to introduce a new structure that complements the character of the 19th-century townhouse while creating strong contemporary spaces that engage with the surrounding gardens," explained studio director Gonçalo Baptista. The design concept drew inspiration from what Baptista describes as a 'pavilion in the park' approach, with American minimalist artist Sol LeWitt's architectural structures serving as a key conceptual reference.
The renovation process involved carefully stripping away previous additions before introducing the dramatic concrete-framed rear extension. This new structure expands the building's footprint sufficiently to accommodate the four apartments while establishing a strong visual and physical connection to the garden spaces. The exposed cast masonry frame serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, opening interior spaces to natural light while creating what Baptista calls "a calm, purposeful material palette."
Within the existing Victorian structure, the apartments have been thoughtfully organized around a central timber staircase that preserves the building's original circulation patterns. The historic room layouts have been carefully reinstated, maintaining the sense of grandeur and spatial hierarchy that characterized the original design. "We aimed to preserve the sense of a big house, retaining the clarity and hierarchy of the original layout," Baptista noted. "The apartments are arranged in line with the historic room configuration, with architectural features largely intact."
The ground and lower-ground levels extend seamlessly into the new concrete-framed extension, where living spaces are wrapped by full-height, timber-framed windows and sliding doors that provide direct access to the garden areas. At the heart of the extension, a distinctive spiral concrete staircase leads directly from the garden level up to a first-floor terrace, which is surrounded by a slim steel balustrade that maintains sight lines while providing safety.
Complementing the main residential conversion, Pinzauer has designed a separate studio structure positioned at the bottom of the garden. This additional building is housed within a sunken, low-profile brick volume that minimizes its visual impact on the historic property. The studio's brick construction has been left deliberately exposed, creating an honest material expression that contrasts with the main building's refined finishes.
The studio features full-height windows that overlook two carefully designed sunken courtyards positioned at the front and rear of the structure. One courtyard incorporates lush planting schemes that soften the architectural lines, while the other is finished with gravel surfaces that create a more minimalist aesthetic. These outdoor spaces provide natural light and visual interest while maintaining privacy for the studio's occupants.
Baptista acknowledged the technical challenges inherent in combining contemporary construction with historic fabric. "The precision of the new structure often conflicted with the idiosyncrasies of the existing building, requiring close coordination between the client, design team, and contractor," he explained. "However, the contrast also heightened the dialogue between old and new, which became central to the project's character."
The Maresfield Gardens project represents part of a broader trend of sensitive historic renovations in Hampstead, where architects are finding innovative ways to modernize Victorian and Edwardian properties while respecting their architectural heritage. The neighborhood has recently seen similar projects, including Studio Hagen Hall's renovation of a 1960s townhouse and ConForm's addition of a marble extension to another Victorian residence.
The completed project demonstrates how contemporary architectural interventions can enhance rather than compromise historic buildings, creating modern living spaces that celebrate both past and present design philosophies. Through careful material selection, spatial planning, and attention to the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, Pinzauer has created a residential complex that honors its significant history while meeting contemporary lifestyle demands.
