Discover how architects transformed a rundown Victorian coach house in Hampstead into a modern, energy-efficient family home
The house was abandoned before architects got to work modernising the home(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
Tucked away behind a Hampstead pub, a once-forgotten Victorian coach house has undergone a stunning transformation.
Originally extended by Norman Foster in 1968 with his signature minimalist style, the property has been revitalised by Gianni Botsford Architects into a four-story home.
The architects said their aim was to blend Foster’s iconic steel-and-glass extension and "create a reciprocal relationship", whilst also putting their own stamp on the property.
The house was appropriately named "The Reciprocal House" and we look at the house before and after to see how they renovated it and the difference it made.
Renovation of rundown, historic coach house
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The coach house was extended by Norman Foster for a journalist(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The original interiors were aging and no longer suited to modern living(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
Bamboo was overgrown in the garden and lacking proper landscaping(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
Before renovation the coach house had fallen into disrepair with an overgrown garden(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
In 1968, Norman Foster extended a Victorian coach house in Hampstead, London, adding a lightweight structure with steel, concrete blocks, and large-span glazing, exemplifying his simple and efficient design style.
Over five decades later, Gianni Botsford Architects undertook a significant redevelopment of the property, transforming it from a rundown property with a garden with overgrown bamboo to a modern looking home.
According to architect Gianni Botsford, the project involved replacing the coach house with a new four-story structure while retaining Foster's iconic extension.
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"Our aim was to create a reciprocal relationship with the power and simplicity of the extension but allow our project to have its own identity and architectural language," he explained. The new build sits on the same footprint as the original coach house but extends vertically to accommodate additional floors, including a basement.
Angled aluminium 'sails' complemented by renovation
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Perforated aluminium "sails" are positioned at different angles to evoke the forms of the original coach house(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The house retains Foster’s lightweight steel, concrete blocks, and large-span glazing(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The new design maintains a "reciprocal relationship" with Foster’s extension, blending simplicity and power(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The Foster extension, characterised by its exposed concrete blocks, steel beams, and large-scale glazing, was carefully preserved and refurbished.
Botsford sought to complement these elements with a similarly minimalist approach in the new structure. "The palette of exposed in-situ concrete and perforated aluminium walls reflects Foster's influence, blending old and new with precision," Botsford added.
Externally, the new design integrates a series of perforated aluminium "sails" positioned at various angles, subtly recalling the angles of both the original coach house and Foster’s extension.
Metallic interior continues minimalist theme
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A skylight at the top of the stairs draws air upwards, naturally cooling the house in summer(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
A central staircase acts as a ventilation shaft(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The house incorporates passive design principles, using thermal mass for temperature regulation(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
Rooms can be opened or closed with blinds and sliding walls, optimising privacy and natural light throughout the day(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
The house was appropriately named "The Reciprocal House"(Image credit: Schnepp Renou)
Internally, bespoke features like spiral staircases and aluminium-crafted furniture continue the theme of simplicity, with Botsford emphasising that the house balances openness with privacy.
“Each floor has a distinct character, and rooms can be opened or closed depending on the time of day or who is home,” he said.
A key challenge for the design team was ensuring the house maintained a sense of privacy while maximising light and views.
Botsford noted: "The project required careful consideration of sunlight, views, and privacy, using features like a large skylight to draw air upwards, cooling the house naturally in summer." The house is also energy-efficient, with an all-electric system, air source heat pumps, and water recycling features.
Botsford concluded: "Reciprocal House provides a model for adaptive reuse, balancing retention and replacement, much like a species of plant adapting to its environment."
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
