The Arches / The DHaus Company

It all started with a two-year planning process, we had to win every single argument no matter how small or large to justify the proposal. Then a further 2 years in construction just as the global Pandemic started. So over the last 4 / 5 years, this project was such a big part of our lives. Our place to go while the whole world fell apart through Brexit, Covid and the many wars going on in the world. Many different people from all walks of life came together and built something. We all dragged the metaphorical cart up the hill together while wearing blinkers to world affairs. The Proposal. The Arches is a set of 6 new terraced town houses set in the Dartmouth Park conservation area in North-West London. The site is just down the road from the famous Grove Terrace, one of the most beautiful Georgian terraces in London in our opinion. Our initial design idea was inspired by the historic green lung of open green spaces along the Highgate Road, our earliest discussion with Camden was to relink the 2 open public green spaces either side of the site. This meant reinstating the green lung as close to how it was back in 1873. A futuristic Victorian throw back! This new green space acts as buffer for the proposed architecture behind, 6 mews houses that appear to be single storey from the Highgate Road, to preserve the clear unbroken green line, when viewed from the street. The entrances to the houses are on the College Lane, to enhance the Victorian architectural grain. And to match the other old historic cottages further south along the road.