A contemporary house shaped by coastal light and long sea views.
Type
New House
Status
Complete
Location
Cornwall
Size
190 m²
Type
New House
Status
Complete
Perched on a prominent coastal hillside, the house occupies a visible position above the town below. Seen from the water, it meets the skyline and forms part of the wider coastal panorama.
Its position required careful judgement. The ambition was not to dominate the horizon, but to contribute a form that feels calm and settled within its setting — present, yet restrained.
Form
The design reinterprets the familiar bungalow, drawing on its modest scale and simplicity while introducing greater spatial clarity and depth.
A single-storey volume sits on a raised stone plinth, subtly lifting the house to improve long views across neighbouring roofs towards the sea. At the garden edge, the plinth is formed as a ha-ha, allowing the terrace to dissolve into the landscape and extending the horizon outward.
The building reads as a low, composed form against the sky, its geometry simple and deliberate.
Material
Roof and walls are wrapped in a continuous skin of natural slate, grounding the house within its coastal context.
Openings are carved from this surface and lined in timber, softening their depth and bringing warmth to the elevations. Frameless oriel windows project from the rear corners, framing oblique views of sea and sky.
The house engages with wind, rain and changing light, allowing seasonal conditions to be experienced from within a place of shelter.
Light
At the centre of the plan, a generous hall rises to a rooflight positioned at the apex of the hipped roof. From this point, the house is organised as a cross, with long views extending in four directions.
Light tracks through the interior over the course of the day, connecting sky, garden and sea. The central rooflight draws daylight deep into the plan and anchors the experience of the house.
Space
The main living area occupies one corner of the plan, forming a generous volume beneath the full height of the roof. Long views extend through the space towards the water.
Elsewhere, bedrooms are arranged as quieter and more enclosed retreats, with lower ceilings and a more intimate character.
These contrasting conditions create a home that supports both shared life and private retreat. The spaces are shaped by light, landscape and the rhythms of daily use.
Designed by David Jones while a Director at KAST Architects.
If you are considering a new home or a sensitive project of your own, we would be delighted to hear from you.