Coastal Home - Perranuthnoe

The client brief for this project was to create a beautiful yet modest holiday home by the sea. The site enjoys spectacular coastal views, however, the small triangular plot located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on a popular local walking route required a considered and sensitive design approach.

The design process combined a spirit of enquiry with a dedication to achieving a simple but high-quality new home. The modest proportions of the rectangular pitched roof building ensure that the house sits comfortably within the wider landscape setting. The layout utilises this simple form with a first floor living space and master bedroom that benefit from vaulted ceilings and generous glazing that maximises natural daylight and the coastal views.

Burnt timber “board on board” cladding to the first floor gives a refined rustic appearance and references the agricultural and maritime buildings which are typical around Cornwall. Natural stone walls and slate roof finishes are also used with contemporary detailing to create a high quality and high-performance building.

The client aspiration for quality required a determination and attention to detail from the whole project team. The result can be seen with the master bedroom window seat which not only creates a quiet place to enjoy the view, but also forms functional storage with hidden automatic window blinds.

However, perhaps the best measure of success comes from our client who told us “We love our building, both its simple, tasteful good looks and how easy it is to live well in. We love the way it settles into the landscape, making a quiet statement without being ostentatious or showy”.

Photography by Hugh Hastings