Ground House is the natural home and sanctuary of designer and yogi Zoe Chan , her partner Vinicius Frigo and her two children Max and River.
The house was designed by Zoe’s practice Zoe Chan Studio and she has worked exclusively on the design and build of this house since 2016. It has been a true labour of love.
The Ground House is available for shoot hires and short lets.
Zoe and Vinicius are both also yoga alliance teachers and BJJ athletes and host health related workshops and private classes for both visitors and clients who come to the Ground House.
THE HOUSE
THE HOUSE
The Ground House is a four bedroom, bespoke, crafted, natural-build house in Hampstead London. Hidden away in a secret, hidden spot, this is a one-of-a-kind family home. It showcases a Douglas fir timber structure with London Plane ceiling vaults, wide planked Douglas floor flooring, combined with raw clay plaster walls, stone floors and lime exterior finishes.
“I have been working on The Ground House for almost a decade. The house, its design and the lifestyle it embodies reflects my approach towards design, life and home. The house is designed to optimise connection and living in the present, with a focus on maximising the physical and mental wellbeing of those using the house. This is done through thinking about all of the senses, the view of the gardens throughout the house, the smell of the Douglas fir wood frame, the cosy and embracing feel of the space which is cocooned in timber panelling; the use natural materials throughout creating a healthy interior, the connection to nature, the peaceful and serene location, the freshness of the air. The Ground House really is an experience to feel.
The journey of making this home has been an exercise in years of hand drawing, a body of research into the history of the house, natural building methods and healthy interior environments, a longing for connection to nature and its integration into the home, a multitude of collaborations with skilled craftsmen and women, a search for authenticity, and a spiritual search for peace and stillness through meditation and yoga.” - Zoe Chan, designer of The Ground House
People
ZOE
Zoe is the owner and designer of the Ground House. She runs architecture practice Zoe Chan Studio and is a practising Yogi and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete.
Zoe runs design studio Zoe Chan Studio. Focussed on a nature-led approach in all her work, Zoe designs and builds natural building projects from renovations to new builds. Zoe is also interested in nature-based landscaping projects relating to re-wilding and sustainable forestry work. Zoe works on her own project sites and is also available on a consultancy basis for any design projects relating to natural building.
As a designer-yogi-athlete, her focus is in on creating spaces from natural materials and which maximise health and wellbeing. Zoe trained in Architecture at Cambridge University (MA Cantab) graduating with the highest first class honours. She completed her architectural education at the Architectural Association in 2010. Since 2010 Zoe has worked exclusively on designing and building bespoke homes, and has run two past practices: Atelier Chan Chan and Chan and Eayrs.
Her projects have been critically acclaimed and featured in international press including T magazine (New York Times), Wallpaper Magazine, Architectural Digest and the World of Interiors.
Zoe has written an essay chapter about natural homes for the Monocle Book of Homes, and her work has featured in several books including: The Modern Family Home by Gestalten, A Modern Way to Live by Matt Gibberd for Penguin and Living in Colour by Phaidon.
Zoe Chan Studio is based at The Ground House.
Yoga and BJJ
As a child Zoe grew up doing athletics, cross country running and lacrosse at a county and national level and practiced Kung Fu, Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Karate growing up. Health, movement, experience of space and connection to the body have always been a fundamental part of Zoe’s life practice and philosophy.
Zoe has practiced Yoga in excess of 20 years and Zoe completed her Yoga Alliance Teacher training at The Peaceful Warriors in Bali in summer 2024. Zoe and Vinicius practice meditation, breath work and asanas together every morning at 530am.
Zoe also competes at an international level in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Zoe has won three Gold medals in the IBJJF International London Open at white belt in 2023, and Gold in the IBJJF London International Open February 2024 and October 2024. She will be competing as a master in the IBJJF Europeans in Lisbon in 2025
VINICIUS
Vinicius is a yoga alliance teacher, black belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and athlete, and rock climber. He offers private classes to clients at the Ground House.
Vinicius was born in Brazil and moved to Italy when he was 5. When he was a child Vinicius played football at a regional level from the age of 6 years old to 17 years old. He then took up martial arts at the age of 17 joining Alliance in Verona, when he moved to London he then practiced under world champion Roger Gracie. Most recently he help set up and taught at Luciano Cristovam Academy with his friend and ex world champion Luciano Cristovam.
As a white belt: Vinicius competed in Nice France, in the Milano Italy challenge getting silver, and in the IBJJF Europeans in Lisbon. As a blue belt: Vinicius did 13 competitions: Copa Unimed PARANAVAI getting gold, European CBJJE Modena Italy getting silver, Torino jiu jitsu challenge, Gracie Barra Bristol internal tournament getting silver, Brighton open getting gold, Roger Gracie Academy Kilburn internal tournament getting gold, Roger Gracie Academy HQ internal tournament getting silver, IBJJF London Open, European IBJJF Lisbon, Abu Dhabi trials London coming third, British open Birmingham coming third, Worlds Ibjjf long beach USA. As a purple belt: 2019 Abu Dabi Grand slam London, As a brown belt: Grappling industries London getting gold, Europeans IBJJF Paris, Abu dhabi Grand slam London As a black belt: All Stars London Black belts getting silver, Grappling industries London getting silver, IBJJF Milano International Open getting bronze.
Vinicius started practising yoga to improve his flexibility and mobility in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has developed a keen interest in the philosophical side of yoga too. Vinicius completed his Yoga Alliance Teacher training in summer 2024 at the Peacheful Warriors in Bali. Vinicius and Zoe practice meditation, breath work and asanas together every morning at 530am.
