Inspiration

News & ideas to spark your project plans

This stunning contemporary house is the result of a reconfiguration of an existing unfinished building on the beautiful Rye Nature Reserve in East Sussex. The project, which was designed by the team at RX Architects, involved remodelling to maximise natural light and create views across the surrounding coastal landscape.

The existing foundations and ground floor load bearing walls were reused, with a new steel structure added to create a cantilevered upper storey that looks out towards the sea. The first floor’s new overhang means that the entrance and south-facing glazed elevation below are sheltered from the sun and natural elements at this open coastal plot. Rough sawn larch was specified for the upper storey cladding, as this will weather beautifully with the harsh sea air. The external brick walls were finished with Kiem paint; a system that’s often chosen for use on lighthouses thanks to its robust properties.

Sustainability was a key consideration for this project. As a result, the designers chose to utilise as much of the original dwelling as possible, from the load bearing walls to the existing brick. Other eco friendly features include high levels of insulation, a large solar array on the roof and an air source heat pump.

Large profile windows and sliding glazed doors help to connect the interiors with the landscape and add to the strikingly contemporary aesthetic of the revamped home.

This impressive revamp overlooks the edge of the Mendip Hills and Glastonbury Tor. The barn conversion shares the same vernacular as that of the nearby farmhouses, with pitched roofs and black timber cladding. Although mindful of the local architectural language, the designers at De Rosee Sa wanted to create a chic and impressive space, perfect for modern life. The scheme involved reworking the internal layout of the barn to make space for a dramatic double height hallway. The project team also refurbished the ground floor and outdoor swimming pool to a luxuriously high standard; installing bespoke joinery throughout the house and elegant terracotta tiles by the pool and outside living area. The practice made sure to integrate materials thoughtfully within the project, evoking a seamless transition between the new and original parts of the property through inclusion of exposed beams and reconstituted stone worktops.

The result is a renovation that remains sympathetic to the original barn as well as the surrounding rural countryside. The project has also seen the replacement of an old outbuilding in the garden to make way for new build guest accommodation.