Category Archives: Site Progress

Ice Cream House, Hampstead, North London

Posted on by

: Site Progress :

Reimagining of a typical London Victorian mid-terrace house, within the Mansfield Conservation Area, as a place of sanctuary and reflection from the city.

Site progress at Ice Cream House in Hampstead, the above view is of the Kitchen with a view to the rear patio
Site progress at Ice Cream House in Hampstead, the above view is of the Kitchen with a view to the rear patio

The project is above all a collaboration with our Italian and Portuguese clients. 

Our clients wanted the home to feel open and connected, avoiding any sense of being cavernous. On the upper floor, a master suite is created with a walk-in wardrobe with bespoke joinery, an ensuite and the master bedroom affording views of the neighbouring gardens. We introduced a partially floating timber stair from the ground to the third floor that permitted a dialogue between the bedrooms, playroom, home offices, living space, music room, kitchen and dining and the garden creating a visual link throughout the house.

View of the rear extension and patio of Ice Cream House, the polished concrete floor continues from inside to outside with the seating area of the patio being tiled in terracotta tiles that wrap up the face of the side extension
View of the rear extension and patio of Ice Cream House, the polished concrete floor continues from inside to outside with the seating area of the patio being tiled in terracotta tiles that wrap up the face of the side extension

Generous openings to the ground floor side extension create a focal point and frame views from the kitchen and dining spaces to the rear garden; still defined and wrapped by the original red brick wall and includes the introduction of a polished concrete floor that extends from the kitchen as well as a terracotta tile that wraps up the face of the extension to create additional depth.

The Playroom will include steps up to a suspended hammock at mezzanine level
The Playroom will include steps up to a suspended hammock at mezzanine level

We aimed for materials that are lively yet timeless and subtle enough to complement the client’s art, guitars, piano, and furniture. The bathrooms and built-in joinery in the bedrooms feature distinct and vibrant material and colour choices, inspired by the client’s passion for ice cream, which also inspired the house’s name.

View of what the living space will look like with a view towards the Music Room and the Kitchen beyond
View of what the living space will look like with a view towards the Music Room and the Kitchen beyond

Ice Cream House is another project that follows EnerPHit (Passivhaus for Refurbishment) principles of sustainable design, including ASHP, Solar PV, Airtightness, MVHR (see below) and additional insulation. The gas supply has been cut off and an induction hob included in the Kitchen. 

An Air Source Heat Pump will be installed in the rear patio with a cedar clad enclosure to conceal the unit
An Air Source Heat Pump will be installed in the rear patio with a cedar clad enclosure to conceal the unit

ASHP:

Air source heat pumps (ASHP) work by transferring heat absorbed from the outside air to an indoor space. This works via a wet central heating system to heat radiators and provides domestic hot water. Heat pumps are similar to refrigerators: they absorb heat and transfer it to another medium. Certain air source heat pumps can also work as a cooling system in the summer months. Most commonly they are placed outside of a building where there is adequate space for the installation. 

The MVHR unit is positioned in the Guest Bedroom wardrobe
The MVHR unit is positioned in the Guest Bedroom wardrobe

MVHR: 

An MVHR system offers significant benefits in terms of lower energy costs, increased comfort and reduced carbon emissions.  These ventilation systems are designed to ensure that your home enjoys continuous fresh, clean air whilst retaining most of the energy that has already been used in heating the building to a comfortable temperature.

A view of one of the bathrooms will look like when it's complete, including terrazzo tiles for the floor and tadelakt on the walls and ceiling
A view of one of the bathrooms will look like when it’s complete, including terrazzo tiles for the floor and tadelakt on the walls and ceiling

Project Team: Sude, Bethany, Imran + Sean

If you would like to talk through your project with the team, please do get in touch at mail@risedesignstudio.co.uk or give us a call at 020 3290 1003

Contact us

RISE Design Studio Architects company reg no: 08129708 VAT no: GB158316403 © RISE Design Studio. Trading since 2011.