Where Every Detail Matters
Architecture in Hampstead isn’t just about design. It’s about nuance. Whether you’re building a rear extension on a listed terrace, converting a flat in a stucco-fronted block, or managing a mews infill behind Flask Walk, the real art lies in restraint.
At DOR Architects, we help clients navigate that tension: how to modernise without losing character, how to add space without upsetting the street, and how to balance ambition with realism.
We work in full 3D (BIM), advise from day one on what’s viable, and bring a clear, steady hand through planning, technical design, and construction.
“The brief was simple: modernise a Georgian townhouse in a Conservation Area — without making it look like anything had changed. That’s Hampstead for you.”
Where We Work in Hampstead
We work across NW3, including:
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Hampstead Village: Listed townhouses, rear extensions, and internal reconfiguration
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Fitzjohn’s Avenue, Downshire Hill & Frognal: Conservation Area works and façade-sensitive projects
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South Hill Park & Parliament Hill: Rooftop additions and rear garden designs near protected views
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Hampstead Heath border zones: Height-sensitive work and ecological buffer constraints
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Mews and backland sites: Infill housing with challenging access and high design expectations
We also coordinate closely with Camden planning and heritage officers to smooth approvals in this complex, highly regulated setting.
Planning in Hampstead: The Essentials
Hampstead is layered with protections — listed buildings, Conservation Areas, tree preservation orders, ecological zones, and viewing corridors.
Key local planning challenges include:
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Grade II and II listing* restrictions on alterations, both internal and external
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Conservation Area constraints on rooflines, windows, and materials
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Overlooking, daylight, and massing rules in tight mews or rear garden sites
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Height and visibility controls near Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill
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Basement development scrutiny, especially on steep or clay-based sites
Our planning applications are tailored, persuasive, and visually supported — often accompanied by heritage statements, daylight/sunlight reports, and pre-application dialogue.
Why Choose DOR Architects for Hampstead Projects?
We’re as comfortable talking to planners as we are to clients. We understand the tension between preserving and progressing — and we know how to design in that space.
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Elegant, context-led architecture
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Proven track record with Camden Council planning and heritage officers
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Full 3D design for better communication and design control
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Experienced in listed buildings, Conservation Areas and heritage reports
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Refined construction detailing for premium builds and sensitive retrofits
In Hampstead, architectural confidence doesn’t come from shouting. It comes from experience, intelligence, and taste. We bring all three.
Our Process
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Feasibility & Heritage Strategy
We assess your site, its constraints, and its potential — with a focus on what’s likely to gain consent. -
Planning Application
We shape high-quality submissions, often including heritage statements, precedent studies, and early officer feedback. -
Technical Design & Tender
Full detail, coordination, and contractor-ready information — especially important for listed buildings and tight sites. -
On-Site Support
We stay engaged during construction, ensuring quality, compliance, and continuity of design.
Ready to Build Something Thoughtful in Hampstead?
Whether you’re transforming a listed villa or quietly reworking your family home, our job is to listen well, design beautifully, and plan wisely.
Talk to an architect who understands Hampstead — and how to work within its rules without compromising your vision.
FAQs – Hampstead Architectural Insights
Almost certainly. Much of NW3 falls within Conservation Areas or involves listed buildings. Even small works can require consent. We’ll advise you early.
Sometimes, yes — if done sensitively. It is no easy task but there are precedents for listed building consent for carefully integrated additions and internal reconfigurations.
Possibly, but it’s challenging. These sites often face issues with access, light, privacy and massing. A strong planning strategy is essential — and we can provide it.
Hampstead has some of Camden’s strictest basement policies, especially near the Heath. You’ll need structural reports, flood risk assessments and thorough planning documentation.