The Edge

The clients have an unconventional lifestyle, spending much of it sailing in warmer climes due to a passion for the sea, wildlife and the natural environment, and relate to the low impact, barefoot, t-shirts, out-doors lifestyle powered by wind and solar. They treasure the freedom, a direct relationship with the elements and the endless horizon. The brief was: translate the spirit, ethos and experience of this life into their new home by creating the experience of year round, sustainable, outdoor living and a low maintenance, flexible living platform from which to experience nature.

The concept is of a ‘floating’ structure - expressed in the cantilevered first floor (extended to internal design elements e.g. stairs, kitchen island) and outdoor living – expressed through a 3m high ground floor glass wall to seaward. This innovative approach: maximizes a compact site; mitigates apparent mass; creates a single story appearance (recognising the local architectural vernacular) and generates excitement: as the first floor appears to extend to the edge (and maintains a 4m structural stand-off from the cliff edge). A palette of oak, weatherboard, white render and stainless steel respect the surroundings whilst developing the marine theme.