Arches House is a statement in architectural conviction - a suburban family home transformed through clarity of vision, craftsmanship, and persistence.
Completed in 2023, this two-storey side and rear extension reimagines a traditional West Hampstead semi-detached house through a language of brick, arches, and proportion. Rejecting generic rear additions, the project embraces permanence and character, creating a unified garden-facing elevation with strong architectural presence.
Developed in close collaboration with a design-led client, the scheme reflects a shared ambition to move beyond the “white box” formula and deliver something enduring and individual. Achieved through a rigorous planning process, the two-storey wraparound extension balances scale with sensitivity, proving that ambition and context can coexist.
Internally, the house was fully reconfigured across three floors to support contemporary family life, with enhanced insulation and high-performance glazing improving comfort and performance.
The result is a home that feels grounded yet contemporary - expressive, disciplined, and built to last.
Client: Private
Location: West Hampstead, London NW2
Local Authority: Barnet Council
Plot Type: Suburban
Project Type: Residential – Single Family Home
Internal Area (GIA): 344 sqm
Arches House: A Characterful Family Home in West Hampstead
In the heart of West Hampstead, North West London, Arches House demonstrates how suburban extensions can move beyond generic solutions to become enduring pieces of architecture. Completed in 2023, this two-storey side and rear extension transforms a traditional semi-detached house into a robust, light-filled family home defined by craft, proportion, and architectural integrity.
Designed by RISE Design Studio, the project emerged from a shared ambition between client and architect to reject the familiar “white box” rear addition in favour of something more permanent and expressive. A language of brick, arches, and deep reveals reinterprets London’s masonry heritage in a contemporary way, creating a garden-facing elevation that reads as a unified architectural composition rather than an afterthought.
The scheme was developed through a rigorous planning process, with careful studies and negotiation required to achieve the scale and presence of the two-storey wraparound extension. The final design balances ambition with sensitivity, demonstrating how thoughtful massing and high-quality detailing can justify increased volume within a suburban context.
Internally, the house has been comprehensively reconfigured across the ground, first, and second floors to support modern family life. A generous open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space now forms the heart of the home, with large arched openings establishing a strong visual and physical connection to the garden. Upper floors have been rationalised to improve circulation, daylight, and spatial efficiency, creating calm, adaptable living environments.
While the project did not pursue full low-energy certification, meaningful performance improvements were embedded throughout the refurbishment. Enhanced insulation, high-performance glazing, and improved airtightness significantly increase thermal comfort and reduce heat loss compared to the original building, ensuring the home performs better as well as looks better.
Material choices were guided by longevity and restraint. Expressive brickwork provides weight and character, while slim steel-framed glazing, natural timber finishes, and stone surfaces introduce warmth and refinement. Together, these elements create interiors that are robust, timeless, and designed to age gracefully.
Arches House stands as an example of what can be achieved when design quality leads decision-making. It shows that everyday family homes need not be bland or disposable - they can be crafted, contextual, and built to last. In an era of rapid, formulaic development, this project demonstrates the value of conviction, collaboration, and architecture with lasting purpose.
