In much of suburban London, home extensions follow a familiar pattern: white-rendered boxes, oversized glazing, and short-term thinking. They work - technically - but rarely inspire.
Arches House is different.
Completed in 2023, this two-storey side and rear extension in West Hampstead was designed by RISE Design Studio, residential architects specialising in home extensions and renovations in Hampstead and North West London. The project demonstrates how thoughtful architecture, persistence, and craftsmanship can transform an ordinary semi-detached house into a lasting family home with real presence.
Aerial evening view of a two-storey brick extension in West Hampstead with arched glazing, outdoor dining terrace, and integrated garden design.
When the client first approached us, they already had a proposal: a typical rear extension with bi-fold doors and minimal architectural character.
It was compliant.
It was efficient.
And it was generic.
As architects in West Hampstead, we often see this pattern. Homeowners are offered solutions that prioritise speed over quality and convenience over longevity.
From the outset, our shared ambition was clear:
Instead, we set out to create a home that would feel relevant and robust for decades.
Angled rear view highlighting the crafted brickwork, arched openings, and layered massing of Arches House.
West Hampstead and the wider Hampstead area are defined by strong Victorian and Edwardian housing stock - buildings with texture, proportion, and material integrity.
As Hampstead architects, we believe new extensions should respond to this context rather than ignore it.
At Arches House, this meant working with:
The aim was not imitation, but reinterpretation - creating architecture that feels rooted and contemporary.
Open-plan kitchen and dining space at Arches House, featuring bespoke joinery, natural materials, and generous daylight.
Rather than treating the extension as an appendage, we conceived Arches House as a unified architectural composition - almost like a brick pavilion emerging into the garden.
The form is organised around:
This gives the rear elevation architectural clarity and permanence. The extension reads as a considered building in its own right, not a collection of add-ons.
For homeowners considering a home extension in West Hampstead, this approach shows how ambition and coherence can coexist.
Rear garden elevation of Arches House, showcasing the two-storey brick extension with arched steel-framed glazing in West Hampstead.
A two-storey wraparound extension of this scale inevitably raised planning concerns.
These focused on:
As experienced residential architects in Hampstead, we understand how critical early strategy and negotiation are to securing consent.
Rather than reducing the scheme to something “safe,” we developed detailed studies to demonstrate that:
After a rigorous planning process, approval was secured - proving that strong architecture can succeed when supported by evidence and persistence.
Golden hour view of Arches House, capturing the warmth and texture of the brick façade and arched openings.
Brick is the defining material of Arches House.
It is not applied as decoration. It is used as structure, texture, and identity.
Key elements include:
The masonry gives the building weight and longevity, while slim steel-framed glazing ensures openness and lightness.
This balance between solidity and transparency is central to our work as architects in West Hampstead.
Evening view of Arches House, with warm internal lighting illuminating the arched brick façade and garden-facing living spaces.
The arched openings are fundamental to how the house functions.
At ground floor:
At upper levels:
Despite the strength of the brickwork, the house feels open, generous, and connected to its surroundings.
This project was as much about internal transformation as external form.
The existing house was fragmented and inefficient. We reconfigured all three floors.
The result is a home that works holistically - not as a series of compromises.
Internally, the design avoids short-lived trends.
Instead, we focused on longevity through:
This approach creates interiors that are warm, adaptable, and designed to age gracefully - a key concern for clients investing in long-term homes in Hampstead and West Hampstead.
While Arches House did not pursue full low-energy certification, meaningful performance upgrades were embedded throughout.
These include:
Together, they significantly improve thermal comfort and reduce heat loss compared to the original building.
As residential architects, we always aim to balance environmental responsibility with client priorities and budgets.
The rear elevation is conceived as a garden façade first and foremost.
A continuous terrace supports:
Built-in elements and planting soften the architecture, creating a calm, semi-enclosed environment.
For many of our West Hampstead clients, this connection to outdoor space is central to modern family life.
Arches House is designed to be experienced over time.
By day:
By night:
This temporal quality gives the building richness and character.
As architects working extensively in West Hampstead and Hampstead, we understand the concerns many homeowners face:
Arches House reflects our approach: listening carefully, developing robust design strategies, managing risk, and guiding clients through complex projects with clarity and care.
This project represents many of the challenges faced by homeowners in North West London:
It shows that with the right architect and process, these challenges can be navigated without sacrificing ambition.
Project: Arches House
Location: West Hampstead, London
Completed: 2023
Scope: Two-storey side and rear extension with full internal reconfiguration
Arches House is:
It stands as an example of what thoughtful residential architecture can achieve in West Hampstead - combining craft, planning expertise, and long-term thinking to create a home built to last..
At RISE, we believe that extending and transforming a home isn’t just about adding space. It’s about creating lasting value - spaces that support family life, respect their context, and stand the test of time. It’s about thoughtful design, careful planning, and craftsmanship that goes beyond short-term trends.
Projects like Arches House show what’s possible when ambition is guided by experience and integrity - when architecture is shaped by both imagination and responsibility.
Thinking about extending or renovating your home in West Hampstead, Hampstead, or North West London?
Let’s talk about how your home could evolve - beautifully, responsibly, and with confidence.
→ Email us at architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
→ Or call the studio on 020 3947 5886
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