We quickly established that the house would be top-heavy in terms of area distribution. This offered the potential for lots of overhanging shaded spaced to the rooms at ground floor. We also knew that the upper floor would need overhangs too, for sun-shading to the bedrooms. We therefore devised a structural logic that branches outward in both long and short sections at 8’ increments from ground to roof. It is a home that reaches outward like a tree from trunk to canopy, so we gave it the title of ‘Canopy House’.

As such, the villas will be viewed ‘in the round’ and almost cinematically. For this reason, we felt from the start that they should not have a discernible ‘front and back’.

Conceptually, we began by considering the project as a group of pavilions, set within lush tropical landscaping. We took inspiration from some of the historic Bajan vernacular homes, which have deep set windows and large overhanging roofs, protecting the interiors from direct sunlight.

These villas have a rigorous contemporary upper level with a large overhanging roof, providing solar shading to the bedrooms and also deep, shaded, wraparound balconies. This upper floor has a rigorous, graphic internal layout. Large and dramatic rooms with full height windows capture 180 degree vistas of the ocean and the protected national parks of Little Water Cay and Mangrove Cay.

The project has undergone a series of design developments and has now had the final inputs from Landscape and Lighting Designers.

We are coordinating the finishing touches and are incredibly excited about breaking ground next month!

We are excited to begin to release Dune House for publication and the annual architectural award season later in the year.

Coconut Grove is the city's oldest neighbourhood and has a laid-back and bohemian charm. Banyan trees, palms and live oaks line the quiet residential streets, where peacocks are seen roaming wild. Our client’s site embodies all these characteristics in microcosm, with an array of established sub-tropical plants present on the site. We wanted to ensure our design preserved and respected as many of the site’s mature trees as possible.

We have designed a home that is literally shaped by trees. The root ball radius and canopy spread has introduced arced courtyards to the plan and barrel-shaped roofs to the building section. As a result we have created a home that sits up-close to nature without disturbing it. Level one optimises the maximum building width and depth of the site (with the exception of the two arced courtyards), whilst level two features two separated vaulted volumes (one pushed toward the road and the other to the garden), that allows optimum space for the tree canopies to spread.

The separated vaulted volumes at level two form two ‘nests’ for our clients and their young family to grow-up in. The nests have two staircases so they may be accessed separately, but with an interconnecting door between them. This unique design has allowed for flexibility in the home’s use as the needs of the family change. In its current form, the children’s rooms are connected to the parents' Master Suite. When the children grow older, they will have their own nest to share, and the parents will gain greater privacy.

The neighbourhood is predominantly low-density, with a mix of traditional ‘Caribbean-style’ and modern ‘Miami-esque’ homes. Local guidelines promote a preference for pitched roofs and older homes in the area feature verandahs and louvred windows for shading or atriums for encouraging stack ventilation.

Our client’s brief was simply for a 4 bedroom home that optimised the connection to the water frontage. Our site response was to design a home that balanced enjoyment of the canal-side with equal enjoyment of the garden aspect and its abundant natural vegetation. Our design has sought to fuse the traditional verandah typology present in the area with modern inflexions. The verandah element in our design is raised to level 2, whilst also providing deep overhangs to level 1. These function to optimise outdoor living at both levels.

We have made a material distinction between the lower and upper parts to ensure the upper verandah appears light and airy. Thick stone walls give the base a grounded aesthetic, whilst finely detailed columns and open corners define the verandah. The centre of the plan on both levels can be fully opened to act as a breezeway, whilst (combined with the central atrium) also promoting stack ventilation. A second pool is positioned on this upper terrace to enable poolside entertainment with elevated views and enhanced breeze.

The Sanctuary is a private collection of homes in the heart of Turks & Caicos. A residential community that offers a quiet retreat in an ever-popular destination. Combining sensitive lakefront architecture with responsive building technology. The Sanctuary provides a gentle, yet modern approach to life on the islands.

Located on a peninsula overlooking Flamingo Lake, this is a unique natural habitat. Inspired by the panoramic beauty and serene atmosphere of the lake, we have devised a unique and innovative villa development, that is harmonious with the undulating terrain, natural textures and earthy tones of the site.

We wanted to create homes that have a strong sense of belonging to the peninsula. Each villa is carefully tailored to fit with topography, optimise views, capture breeze and provide space for enjoyment of the sun and shade.

The three and four bedroom Lakehouses each have over 125’ of parcel frontage. The Lakehouses seek to unify a beautiful setting with a progressive lifestyle. With interchangeable layout options, including unique integrated workspaces, residents can choose a home that better suits their work, or leisure, needs.

Entry into the home is via an inner courtyard, through a large timber pivot door. On entering, we have ensured that the outer wings of the property are splayed to maximise the impact of the waterfrontage on the daily use of the home.

The 'bridge' element of level 2 spans 40' between these outer wings. It is designed to work like a structural 'truss', with the expressed frame containing the two master bedrooms and their terraces.

Our ambition is for the living/kitchen/dining space to feel fully part of the courtyard garden. All sliders pocket into thick stone walls to ensure an uninhibited visual connection between front and back gardens, and in order to maximise the feeling of living in the landscape.

Our proposal elevates the living/dining/kitchen and master bedroom suite to level 2 in order to maximise views and breeze, whilst freeing-up level 1 to maximise enjoyment of the garden. The level 2 spaces are captured under a 'dutch-gable' roof and utilise these lofty volumes to harness natural stack ventilation.

The undercroft contains two simple volumes that support the principal raised accommodation. These volumes contain a small guest suite and office. The rest of level 1 is insect-screened with louvred bi-fold shutters and serves as a large open-air pool lounge. On entering the front door, the full panorama of the diagonal view to the reef break will be visible, across a triangular pool that fits to the site's cranked boundary.

We have proposed using board-marked concrete as the home's principal material in order to echo the rugged nature of its location. Sheetrock and painted finishes will be minimised, whilst timber will add warmth as a counterpoint to the concrete. We have sought to create a home that retreats from the notion of 'luxurious', but seeks luxury through a pared-back design and the thoughtful use of natural materials.

Derwent Valley Villa is a new build family home set on an open site, at the heart of the village of Duffield, Derbyshire. Inspired by the historic 18th century red-brick cotton mills that are plentiful in this area, possessing functional elegance and strong, unapologetic proportions, this family home is designed to bridge between the familiar village street scene of Edwardian terraced houses, yet harnessing an architecture that is bolder and purposeful.

The house is built of red brick to fit in with the accrington stock used in the region. The elevations introduce precast concrete banding as lintels and capping stones, and the lower portion is defined with blue brick, whilst the upper level is of lighter red stocks. 

The form of the house and the layout is unusual and one that originated from the pre-existing site conditions and the position of the bungalow, now demolished. The entrance to the site - through the thick local stone boundary walls - was located to one end of the site, with an expansive asphalt driveway which obliterated the concept of a functional garden. The dilapidated building was located at the far end, benefitting from expansive views out across the valley. It was left isolated in a landscape of black tarmac.

The strategy we developed was to deconstruct the building and extend the plan through the plot, so as to minimise the impact of car parking and at the same time to maximise the experience of 'living in a garden'. The architecture defines a variety of linked garden spaces, each of different scale, orientation and outlook.

On entry, a utility structure provides guest, garage and boot room spaces and is connected via a long glazed link which is attached to the primary living space - a large open plan volume to cook, eat and gather as a family. Inspired by the utilitarian mill interiors of steelwork and exposed timber beams, this is a space that is intended to be both durable and adaptable. An intricate staircase is tucked in the gap between the primary and secondary accommodation, and is held within the gap to the adjacent building, containing more intimate family spaces and the master bedroom. This stair rises, breaks out and morphs into a gallery, overlooking a dramatic double height space, which is topped with a circular rooflight - a simple sundial - projecting the passage of the day onto the whitewashed timber walls.

The principle bedroom is entered via a discreet opening in the brickwork wall of the upper level, with the secondary / children's bedrooms simply duplicated and bookended by a family bathroom with views out both north and south across the gardens.

The landscape strategy was just as important as the house itself. J&L Gibbons designed a 'wet woodland', with Betula, Cornus, Iris and Luxla, drawing the eye through the building through to the various pocket gardens. A small pond was constructed beneath the existing willow tree and linked via a rough sawn oak bridge, providing a shady and quiet space to sit, surrounded by the garden and overlooking the valley beyond.

As such, the villas will be viewed ‘in the round’ and almost cinematically. For this reason, we felt from the start that they should not have a discernible ‘front and back’.

Conceptually, we began by considering the project as a group of pavilions, set within lush tropical landscaping. We took inspiration from some of the historic Bajan vernacular homes, which have deep set windows and large overhanging roofs, protecting the interiors from direct sunlight.

These villas have a rigorous contemporary upper level with a large overhanging roof, providing solar shading to the bedrooms and also deep, shaded, wraparound balconies. This upper floor has a rigorous, graphic internal layout. Large and dramatic rooms with full height windows capture 180 degree vistas of the ocean and the protected national parks of Little Water Cay and Mangrove Cay.

We sought to design a home that responded sensitively and closely with the natural topography of the site. The specific dunescape of the site influenced the profile of the design, with the primary, secondary and tertiary dune undulations echoed in the high to low points of the building’s section. Pockets of garden, patio and pool spaces fill the lower interdune areas, dispersed through the building plan in relation to the site’s contours.

On approach from the garden (leeward side), the house has a low and respectful repose, emerging from the landscape as a gradually tiered form. From the beach (windward side), the house steps back in plan and section in a steeper recline as if shaped by the prevailing easterly winds.

The house has a simple strata of materials, with a stone base and natural rendered upper floor, separated by bands of concrete, further emphasising its geological presence in the shifting sands.

Our early site investigations lead to the surprise discovery that the land had been accidentally stripped of all indigenous vegetation and regraded to infill a low-lying area of partial salina facing Juba Sound.

We sought to not see this unfortunate scenario as a negative, rather we realised the importance that any new construction would have in repairing and enhancing this altered landscape. Firstly, the rugged ironshore and its hardy vegetation did remain intact, so we would protect this with care. Secondly, the restructuring of the site enabled a vision for a garden of two distinct parts; a new tropical garden in the lee of the prevailing winds and a new arid landscape within pockets of beach perched behind the rocky ironshore.

The homes would therefore carefully straddle a 11' level change that the site's restructuring has already hinted at, but our design further enhances. The villas will 'perch' at +15' above sea-level, touching lightly onto the new arid upper landscape, and hover effortlessly (in a concrete cantilever) over the new tropical garden behind. This elevated primary floors of each house contain living/kitchen/dining spaces that face the sea and guest bedrooms that face the tropical garden.

Above this floor, and set-back from the sides will sit symmetrically placed timber volumes that houses the master bedroom suites, each with expansive terraces, and timber screened covered decks. Below the primary living floor, and partially buried within the regraded contours, will sit a gym, spa, media room and garage (with optional chef's kitchen). This 'hidden' floor will be dressed in local fieldstone walls, so as to appear part of the inherited regrading of the site. 

We have called this estate home 'Perched Rock Villa' to capture the notion of it being carefully poised and balanced upon the ironshore bluff, both within the existing coastal context to the east, and the entirely new tropical landscape facing Juba Sound to the west.

Our client's brief was for a 5-bed main house, with separate 1-bed guest house and gym. The specific details of their brief called for a central courtyard with 20' tall tree and that the design must not be a 'white box' - specifically calling for a design that features curves, and a 'flowing design' that is 'natural and organic'.

Our response to the brief and site has sought to design a home that is 'softly sculpted' to save the best of the vegetation and respond to the gentle arcing 'bight' of the Leeward Channel, with gently curved facades. The house is tapered so that it is broader on the beach and narrower in the thicket of palms facing the road. This subtle 'wedge-shaped' plan enhances the broad aspect across the mangroves and cays to the east, whilst it also encourages the flow of prevailing easterly breezes through the home.

Deep verandahs mark the four corners of the building at the upper level for 3 bedrooms and a covered bar. The central portion features as shaded terrace on both the east and west facing elevations, with the later having a dipping pool for enjoying the sunset. A shaded cloister wraps around a central courtyard and features a tall Banyan Tree that provides dapled shade for dining under. This central courtard sits adjacent to a double-height living and dining room, which can be fully opened to allow all spaces to function as one large entertaining space.

The site is oriented on an east/west axis, with frontage to a canal and potential for views of Grace Bay from the upper levels. The land itself has been regraded over the years and so features no indigenous planting or topographic features of note. To some degree, it is a 'blank canvas'.

We devised a scheme that would sit respectfully within the context and massing of neighbouring high-end homes, whilst being less of a statement in building 'stature', but more of a statement in landscape re-establishment. We conceived of a symmetrical massing that tiers in from all sides so that the upper storey is highly recessive.

Our aim was to ensure all ground floor rooms did not suffer from overshadowing to the rooms or garden terraces, whilst all upper storey master suites would have terraces on all four sides, with elevated glimpses of Grace Bay. This strategy provides distance and privacy from neighbours, whilst affording the space for growth of larger canopy trees close to the home.

With the signature of this home being its multiple terraces in plan, and its terraced profile in section, we naturally called it 'Terrace House'.

We were inspied by Frank Lloyd Wright's quote; 'No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other'. We were also influenced by the choreography of hillside homes built by Alberto Ponis in Sardinia, and his monograph entitled 'The Inhabited Pathway'.

We devised a strategy for a home of three parts on three levels. A Guest House is placed at the top, the Living/Kitchen/Dining and Pool with associated terraces at the middle, and Master Bedrooms at the lowest level. At each level the accomodation shifts from the east to west to ensure views from the rooms above. The journey from hilltop to sea is therefore meandering - like an 'inhabited pathway'.

The house features 4 bedrooms and 4500sqft of interior space, including a gym, office and garage. In addition it has 1700sqft of external covered living space that connects the vegetated aspect of the valley with the open aspect of the sea, as well as channelling breezes and filtered sunlight deep into the heart of the home.

The Sanctuary is a private collection of homes in the heart of Turks & Caicos. A residential community that offers a quiet retreat in an ever-popular destination. Combining sensitive lakefront architecture with responsive building technology. The Sanctuary provides a gentle, yet modern approach to life on the islands. Located on a peninsula overlooking Flamingo Lake, this is a unique natural habitat. Inspired by the panoramic beauty and serene atmosphere of the lake, we have devised a unique and innovative villa development, that is harmonious with the undulating terrain, natural textures and earthy tones of the site. 

We wanted to create homes that have a strong sense of belonging to the peninsula. Each villa is carefully tailored to fit with topography, optimise views, capture breeze and provide space for enjoyment of the sun and shade. The three and four bedroom Lakehouses each have over 125’ of parcel frontage. The Lakehouses seek to unify a beautiful setting with a progressive lifestyle. With interchangeable layout options, including unique integrated workspaces, residents can choose a home that better suits their work, or leisure, needs. 

Set over two floors, these three and four bedroom properties have been carefully designed to allow outdoor living throughout the day, with a series of interconnected shaded terraces. Interior spaces are principally orientated to the main pool and the waters beyond.

Atrium House is located on the south side of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Here the land is just 3’ above sea level and can be vulnerable to flooding during hurricane storm surges.

The terrain is pitted ironshore, with highly resilient flora that survives in small pockets and cracks in the rocks. It is a robust and beautiful landscape to the trained eye. The sheltered bay also features islets that dot the horizon, that are nesting spots for unique marine birdlife.

Our clients’ brief was for a single storey house that embraced the natural landscape. They wanted to maximise external living and minimize the scale of bathrooms and bedrooms. Their aesthetic desire was described as ‘natural and earthy’ and ‘nordic meets Caribbean’.

We have designed a house that is raised 10’ above the landscape and with landscape at its heart. The internal accommodation is contained in a living/kitchen/dining wing to the east and a bedroom wing to the west. These are separated by a 33’ x 33’ atrium garden. A guest bunk-room and pool plug in from the north and south.

Covered verandahs wrap all four external sides under ‘stretched’ pitched roofs. The internal atrium also has a covered verandahs under flat roofs that provide differing degrees of shade. The natural terrain and plant life will be left untouched where possible beneath this raised volume. Underneath we have located a laundry, garden store, paddleboard store and water tank.

Our intent has been to touch the earth as lightly as possible. We have also sought to design a home that can harness natural breezes (through and under) and provide for good solar protection over and above using air-conditioning. It is hoped too that plant and animal life will continue to nest under and be at the heart of the home, forming a tranquil island get-away for the owners and their guests.

In the UK, we have also been awarded an RIBA East Midlands Regional Award, whilst our client was also awarded the RIBA East Midlands Client of the Year Award. The house has now moved on to the shortlist for an RIBA National Award and RIBA House of the Year 2022.

Cut into an elliptical form, the structure then nestles neatly adjacent to an existing arcing driveway. The shading structure is set onto an elliptical base which creates an arced and slightly stepped amphitheatre for sitting either on cushioned loungers or on a cast bench. There is space for additional seating for larger gatherings as well as a drinks fridge and storage for tennis equipment.

The dia-grid ‘waffle’ structure is braced by an arced rear retaining wall which together aim to provide a better resilience under hurricane force winds than a free-standing rectilinear form. The pavilion will sit aloft a native planting scheme and be illuminated at night - forming an elegant and dynamic focal point on entry to the property. The timber structure has been made by TC Millwork and the base by EY Contractors.

The Sanctuary provides a gentle, yet modern approach to life on the islands. Located on a peninsula overlooking Flamingo Lake, this is a unique natural habitat. Inspired by the panoramic beauty and serene atmosphere of the lake, we have devised a unique and innovative villa development, that is harmonious with the undulating terrain, natural textures and earthy tones of the site. We wanted to create homes that have a strong sense of belonging to the peninsula. Each villa is carefully tailored to fit with topography, optimise views, capture breeze and provide space for enjoyment of the sun and shade.

The Lakehouses hug the shore of the peninsula, giving access to a promontory of unique amenities. The three and four bedroom Lakehouses each have over 125’ of parcel frontage. As well as accommodating the main residences, the low density site provides opportunities for ancillary building options. The Lakehouses seek to unify a beautiful setting with a progressive lifestyle. With interchangeable layout options, including unique integrated workspaces, residents can choose a home that better suits their work, or leisure, needs. Set over two floors, these three and four bedroom properties have been carefully designed to allow outdoor living throughout the day, with a series of interconnected shaded terraces. Interior spaces are principally orientated to the main pool and the waters beyond. The Lakehouses offer a sustainable and enduring property; a timeless waterfront architecture.

www.thesanctuary.tc

Rudolph’s groundbreaking home designs such as ‘The Cocoon House’ and ‘Umbrella House’ demonstrate the unrivalled possibilities of mid-century America’s optimism for forward-thinking design in the natural peripheries of its booming postwar cities. Lundy’s designs chose to eschew the trend for hidden flat roofs with soaring, exposed and amplified curved forms that pushed structural limits to the forefront of his designs. A common thread through both architects’ works was that of an experimentation with wall and roof forms to mediate the strong tropical sun, manage the deluges of tropical rain and capture the Gulf Coast’s precious breezes. They each designed buildings prior to the dawn of air-conditioning that were expertly adapted to suit the region’s sub-tropical climate, whilst at the same time connect elegantly with its gracious landscapes.

We have organised the primary accommodation into three front-to-back glazed ‘bays’, which allows for unencumbered cross ventilation using pocket sliders to open up the building entirely. These living spaces are held between two large-format hardwood-clad ‘spines’ - which contain the circulation spaces and the secondary accommodation of bathrooms, storage and vertical service risers. The house is due to be complete by Christmas 2021.

The two houses have been designed as a unique and distinct enclave at the end of a quiet residential lane - a cohesive pair, with subtle differentiators. Each home is comprised of two low-slung, linear wings that step to form ‘S-shaped’ plans. The two homes nestle together in a relaxed manner along two canal frontages - jostling side-by-side like boats tethered loosely at dock.

Both are topped by over-sized and over-sailing roof planes, rendered in concrete. The larger house uses its large roof slab to conceal a pitched roof, whilst the smaller house tilts its slabs to create mono-pitch volumes internally - pitched roofs were a stipulation of local planning for the area.

They are both predominantly single storey, but the larger house (on the corner site of two canal systems), has a small upper level that acts as a ‘crows-nest’ for the master bedroom that captures panoramic views and glimpses of the sea. Both share a strong, robust and elemental language of thick slabs held up above a simple, laconic rhythm of solid white blocks and apertures of glass.

The villas will be viewed ‘in the round’. Conceptually, we began by considering the project as a group of pavilions, set within lush tropical landscaping. We took inspiration from some of the historic Bajan vernacular homes, which have deep set windows and large overhanging roofs, protecting the interiors from direct sunlight.

These villas have a rigorous contemporary upper level with a large overhanging roof, providing solar shading to the bedrooms and also deep, shaded, wraparound balconies. This upper floor has a rigorous, graphic internal layout. Large and dramatic rooms with full height windows capture 180 degree vistas of the ocean and the protected national parks of Little Water Cay and Mangrove Cay.

We imagined the ground floor plan as fingers of accommodation pushing out into the landscape, where outdoor spaces are just as important as the internal environment. This fluid plan sits under the body of the upper floor, which cantilevers over it to create pockets of highly functional outdoor living space - protecting the inhabitants from the the sun and also the bad weather.

www.emerald-estate.com

We also wanted to ensure that the house appeared as a modest beach home, despite its large size and achieving three storeys of accommodation.

The landscape flows under the house on all sides to a lower ground level of +5’ above sea level. The driveway sweeps underneath the house for arrival by car. Guest arrival is via a long concrete ramp though a richly vegetated landscape. A dramatic entry sequence that also ensures that the main living level remains connected to the front garden.

The Level 1 volume is formed of horizontal board marked concrete with colourations in the concrete echoing that of the sand on the beach itself. We have surrounded the upper volume in a green roof, so that the experience of the Grand Master would be similar to that of being at beach level - with wrap-around terraces meeting a dune grass landscape, visually extending to the sea. The Level 2 volume is clad in vertical timber and reads as a simple ‘pavilion’ on the roof.

Each design is borne from the microgeographies present on the site and conceived for those with an adventurous spirit and passion for the ocean. Each house typology has a unique relationship with the water and the land; the Banks and Shoal Villas are sited on a rugged ironshore coastline and have dramatic swimming pools that allow residents to swim out to a cliff edge.

The Dune Villas hunker a three storey villa behind the dune apex and nestle organically shaped pools into the dune hollows. A man-made lagoon with beach has been created at the centre of the scheme which allows a calmer enjoyment of the water for our Lagoon Houses. These sit raised above a sandy shore at the water’s edge and are inspired by the perched positioning of Malibu beach houses. The Boathouses have individual boat docks fronting a marina and are clustered around a central shady community park with a shared swimming pool.

Infrastructure works project broke ground in Summer 2019 and our first 2 villas commence in Spring 2020. www.livesouthbank.com

The building is tailored to the site topography and sits effortlessly in the natural environment. The design responds to the protected primary dune system, by positioning courtyard bedrooms behind the dune with kitchen, living and bedroom areas facing the leeward side.

A number of sheltered outdoor spaces within staggered, groyne-like walls, offer protection from the wind and sun whilst also framing wide views out to sea. Inspired by the porous coral rock formations found along the bay, ‘pockets’ of indoor and outdoor living space overlap in and around the stacked monolithic walls and roof planes that characterise its stepped and tiered form.

The property has been named ‘UXUE Villa’ by our clients and is available for rent through TKCA Vacation Rentals: www.tkcavacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/uxue-villa-turks-caicos/

Five house typologies inspired by the specific topography and geology of the rugged natural terrain have been developed: Boathouses, Lagoon Villas, Shoal Villas, Bank Villas & Dune Villas. These are complemented by new waterside landscapes and park areas along with a new marina-fronting apartment block and communal clubhouse. The project is starting on site in April 2019.

The house will provide respite from the winds whilst also framing wide views out to sea and will be an ideal location for kite-board enthusiasts who want to enjoy the perfect boarding conditions of Long Bay beach. Construction is proceeding at a good pace and is due for completion in Autumn 2019.

The design responds to the protected primary dune system, by positioning courtyard bedrooms behind the dune with kitchen, living and bedroom areas facing the leeward side. A number of sheltered outdoor spaces within staggered, groyne-like walls, offer protection from the wind and sun whilst also framing wide views out to sea. Inspired by the porous coral rock formations found along the bay, ‘pockets’ of indoor living space overlap in and around the stacked monolithic wall and roof planes that characterise its stepped and tiered form. Construction is due to start in early October 2018.

What is most surprising, and pleasing given the standard of workmanship, is that the project has largely been a self-build. The owners not only installed the cedar shingle cladding themselves, but completed most of the joinery and decoration. The scale and budget might be modest, but this imaginative building punches well above its weight".

The canal enables the scheme's inhabitants to gain direct water-based access to the Leeward Channel and out towards the protected nature reserve of Mangrove Cay. The first four owners on the site have enjoyed their Christmas paddle-boarding, jet-skiing and sailing out into the channel and beautiful island chains beyond.

The working title, ’Casa Cliffhanger’ reminded us of the dual brief for a solid, homely space to live (Casa), combined with an element of daring modernity which exploits the natural assets of the site (Cliffhanger). The main entertaining spaces, terraces and pools will straddle and embrace both of these living conditions and capture the best of the site's 180 ̊ panoramic views. 

The judges were very positive about the project and particularly enjoyed the gallery space - our super-sized plywood lined hallway that will showcase the work of local artists. The winner will be announced at the awards dinner on 7th December at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

This project was part self-build, and is a testament to the determination of our clients, Bruce and David, who worked with endless good humour to finish the project to an incredibly high standard. They even made the sofa seat cushions and curtains at the point in the project when most of us would have just gone online and done an Ikea order! We are confident that Five Acre Barn is going to be a great success and we are delighted to have made a contribution to the burgeoning local contemporary architecture scene in Suffolk. For reservations go to: www.fiveacrebarn.co.uk

Any construction must try to leave the ground untouched where possible whilst providing space in which to enjoy the setting and optimise the views. The concept of a delicate cabin sitting above the terrain is enticing, yet the negatives of timber construction in the saline environment and the prospect of hurricanes lead us to think differently, whilst trying to attain the qualities of a cabin ‘held aloft’. 

We have proposed a concept of a ‘cradle’ of stone walls that hold a lighter structure within. The walls could be the only thing bearing on the ground with the slabs spanning between them. This structural solution is in some way like the sink-holes that delicately cradle loose plant-matter inthe crevices of the site. The roof appears to float above the stone walls and is slightly depressed in a ‘butterfly-roof’ formation to enhance the experience of the interiors opening-up toward the panoramic views. The same strategy is applied to the plan - with the ‘pinch’ at the centre of the east-facing facade amplifying the experience of entering and then being drawn to the landscape views. This solution was also adopted to reduce the apparent size of the building by it receding in scale at the middle from a number of key views.