1. GO FOR A TRIO OF ARCHES
Not only do arches look more fun and characterful than a simple door, this project sees color used in a very cool and modern way. The chalky blue/gray tone of the rear render is lifted with zingy mint green door frames. Pure sunshine, even on a rainy day, flooding the open plan kitchen extension behind with light. And what's better than one arch? Three, of course.
2. TOP A WINDOW WITH AN ARCH
Often a new build can end up looking very neat and square. And that's a great look. But an arch is a wonderful way to add some interesting curves to help break up all those right angles.
3. TRY A DOUBLE ASPECT ARCH
'The Edwardian arch of this home was the starting point in the design,' says Kate Clare of Loud Architects. "As you enter the house there is a beautiful arch and I wanted to be able to see the brass arch all the way through to the garden to the rear. This arched shaped window above a normal hinge door we fabricated off site using the exact dimensions, used the same RAL colour and voila the arched shaped door we had in our mind came to life… cheaper, quicker and exactly what we wanted!'
4. ADD VISUAL INTEREST WITH ARCH BRICKWORK
Arches are a fantastic starting point for whatever surrounds them, like the beautiful red brickwork in this project by Flower Michelin. The ground floor rear facade was re-modelled to form three, stepped brick arches. These referenced the detailing to the front facade, in a simplified form.
5. USE COLOR TO MAKE ARCHES POP
A simple black arch door and semi arched window are brought to life with their shape echoed by the bright blue render that surrounds them.
6. FLIP YOUR ARCH UPSIDE DOWN
We're head over heels for the geometric shape of these two arched doors and the curved window seat, which cantilevers out and provides uninterrupted views out into the garden and up into the sky. Who says an arch has to be upright, anyway?