Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath is a Robert Adam masterpiece and home to the Iveagh Bequest, the internationally renowned collection of Old Master and British paintings including works by Rambrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough and Turner, donated by Edward Cecil Guinness, the 1st Earl of Iveagh. Despite its beauty and free entry, it faced declining visitor numbers to the house itself, persistent financial deficits and an urgent conservation backlog. English Heritage needed a bold new vision.
Our Role
We led the masterplanning process in partnership with Ptolemy Dean Architects, developing a strategy that unified conservation, engagement and operational goals. Through detailed research and wide consultation with English Heritage teams, Friends groups and the local community, we created a framework for reaching new audiences while safeguarding collections and landscapes.
Outcomes
Published in 2024, the Masterplan presents a route to revitalise Kenwood. It proposes conserving art and architecture, improving facilities, enhancing landscape management and repurposing the Service Wing as public space. Crucially, it outlines pathways to financial sustainability, enabling Kenwood to thrive as a cultural and community hub while protecting its exceptional heritage.
