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 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.
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 is a designer-maker and a practising Yogi and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete.
Hi, I’m Zoe. I’m a designer–maker, yogi, world champion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete, mother to Max and River, and a model.
My own healing journey and spiritual growth shape everything I create. I believe that both space and movement can transform health — design, nature, and the way we flow through space are central to how I approach wellbeing. My work is about creating environments that ground, restore, and inspire.
I live in The Ground House — a labour of love that took eight years to design and make, restored into the natural home it is today. It stands as a testament to my philosophy. Just as much, my family and the way we live embody this ethos — at one with nature, connected with our bodies, grounded and present.
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.
