Green Hedges

Nestled into the bay of Mawgan Porth, North Cornwall Sea Thrift is a contemporary replacement dwelling using local Cornish materials to immerse itself into the natural landscape. The stepped nature of the surrounding landscape has inspired the carefully considered design and massing of the property. To achieve a sense of privacy from the surrounding roads the North, South and East façades incorporate timber louvres. These louvres are utilised to allow natural light in but restrict views into the house. The west facade, in comparison opens up to offer spectacular panoramic views of the beach and Cornish coastline, through stunning floor to ceiling glazing and double height spaces.

Taking inspiration from the original stone terraces that border the house and that were retained in the completed design; the aim was to re-introduce traditional local Cornish stone walling to the ground floor of the house in a more contemporary and refined way to complement the design of the home. The main entrance is deliberately private, with very few windows opening on to the driveway, only a recessed entrance porch which leads to a solid zinc clad concealed door. As you enter the building, the house opens up and reveals a series of bright and spacious family living spaces with spectacular coastal views. The first floor is by contrast timber clad, creating a more lightweight timber cube which rests upon the heavy stone plinth of the house. The timber cladding continues around the whole of the first floor, even covering parts of the glazing with matching timber louvres to create a sense of privacy from the neighbouring roads.

The design of the roof is deliberate, contemporary but also subtle. Designed not to distract from the timber clad cube but create a dramatic feature over the central hallway and staircase, the zinc clad shallow pitched roof rises gently to the off-centre staircase. From the coastal approach, the roof is invisible, whilst from other angles overlooking the plot, the roofline becomes one of the defining design features for the unique home.

The plan has been arranged around a pronounced central north- south axis which contains the main living spaces, expressed externally by the rise of the roof. These spaces include a lounge and dining room, subdivided by an entrance space and lit by a large floor to ceiling, wall to wall window. A large skylight positioned at the apex of the shallow pitch roof provides natural light to the staircase that filters down into the living spaces below.

The design of the house balances clean lines, a family friendly open-plan family living spaces, sustainable UK sourced materials and a playful balance on privacy and openness to the impressive coastal views.