Reviving Heritage: A Bold Yet Sensitive Renovation in Belsize Park
Tucked into the leafy streets of London’s Belsize Park, this family home is a showcase of architectural restraint, technical ingenuity and thoughtful craftsmanship. The brief was ambitious: refurbish and remodel a two-storey flat within a Grade II listed building to create more living space, more daylight, and a stronger connection between the interiors and the private garden.
As the appointed main contractor, we at Convert Construction worked closely with LBMV Architects to bring the client’s vision to life. The clients, a family of four, wanted to future-proof their home with added functionality and modern appeal, all while respecting the building’s historic character.
Crafting space, light and function
The transformation centred around a striking new all-glass extension to the rear, designed to open the family’s living space and flood it with natural light. We managed the full build, which also included a new kitchen, utility room, bespoke joinery throughout, an additional bedroom, and a fully reimagined garden, complete with a garden studio that would become one of the home’s standout features.
Inside, we made a conscious effort to honour the building’s heritage. During demolition, vaulted brickwork arches were uncovered on the main landing. Rather than conceal them, we preserved them as a defining feature. Likewise, the grand original staircase, initially earmarked for replacement, was instead retained and restored, an inspired decision we proposed to add texture and balance to the modernised interior.
Navigating structural and logistical challenges
Delivering this vision came with its fair share of challenges. The unstable, man-made ground conditions beneath the site made traditional foundations unfeasible. Working alongside structural engineers Symmetrys and foundation specialists Capital Piling, we implemented an innovative screw-pile system to support a suspended concrete slab, providing a safe and reliable base for the extension.
The property’s listed status brought further constraints, from restricted structural options to limited access for materials. To install the extension’s full-height glass panels, we coordinated a complex crane lift over the existing four-storey building, a precise and time-critical operation that required thorough planning and execution.
LBMV Architects employed a bespoke Cantilever solution that eliminated the need for structural beams, resulting in a clean, seamless ceiling plane across the open-plan space. We brought this vision to life with careful attention to detail, ensuring the engineering met the architectural ambitions without compromise.
A garden studio that’s anything but ordinary
Partway through the build, the brief expanded to include a new garden studio, a versatile retreat for work or relaxation. We constructed the entire structure, which was clad in burnished larch timber using the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique for durability and striking effect. Inside, birch ply cladding adds warmth and improves acoustics, while the living green roof integrates the studio into the surrounding landscape. The result feels more like a sculptural statement than a standard outbuilding.
A sensitive transformation with lasting impact
This project blends heritage features with bold, modern architecture, a home that is functional yet characterful, efficient yet welcoming. Every element, from restored joinery to the garden’s thoughtful layout, was designed with the family’s evolving lifestyle in mind.
What was once a traditional London flat has become a layered and light-filled family home, setting a quiet yet confident new standard for what’s possible within a listed property. We’re proud to have delivered this sensitive and forward-thinking renovation as the project’s main contractor, combining respect for heritage with smart construction to create something truly lasting.
Convert Construction have over 20 years’ experience in high-end home refurbishments on the London market.
We are proud to feature and promote in our architecture magazine: Convert Construction’s sensitive London renovation
