Secret Hideout
Sarah Stanley’s new one bedroom retreat might be located in a sensitive setting, next to her 17th-century Grade Ii-listed cottage, but its construction and appearance is anything but traditional
Nestled next to a 17th-century listed cottage, one homeowner’s new retreat in Cornwall shows how contemporary design can sit well within a traditional context
At the end of a winding country lane, not far from the coast, is a traditional cottage of stone and thatch — exactly what you might expect to find, deep in the Cornish countryside. Next to it, however, is something altogether more unexpected. A concrete cube, softened in part by cedar shingles and punctured with huge, cantilevered windows. Known as The Hide, this tiny country retreat belongs to Sarah Stanley, who also owns the neighbouring Grade Ii-listed cottage (which she rents out).
The Hide is a rare thing — a new build in open countryside. Sarah, along with her designer, Jess, saw an opportunity to replace a dilapidated carport with something more attractive. “I always saw its potential. It is sheltered and very private, with views across the valley and a real sun trap,” begins Sarah.
With the assistance of local architecture firm Studio ARC, who engaged a planning specialist, Sarah found obtaining planning permission for The Hide fairly straightforward. They made an argument for replacing the existing carport with an annexe to the main house. Crucially, as the new building is detached, it has no impact on the historic fabric of the 17th-century listed cottage; the application passed with no objections.
Contemporary Glazing
The design of the house – which measures no more than 50m2 – is described by Sarah as “modern rustic”. The structure is built from rendered block, with the kitchen, bathroom and even furniture constructed from either rendered blockwork or concrete formwork.
“It’s a real departure from my usual style,” admits Sarah. “But I love the contrast of the two properties. I love the simplicity.”
It was this simplicity that inspired her designer’s original vision. “I was walking in the woods by a lake with my kids,” says Jess, “and I noticed how a bird hide is designed to make the most of its setting. It’s immersed in the landscape.”
Keen to build on this idea, Jess incorporated substantial bifold doors into the design. These open the living space out onto the expansive deck. In addition, large cantilevered windows make it possible to lie in bed and feel suspended in the night sky.
These windows were inspired by the way the viewing flaps in a bird hide can be opened and closed from a top hinge. Smaller, ‘peep hole’ windows also allow a greenish light from the surrounding woods to enter the space. Rather than standing out in its natural setting, The Hide’s concrete and cedar shingle cube seems to disappear.
Getting the final finish of these windows right was central to Jess and Sarah’s vision for the property’s aesthetic. However, achieving this while ensuring the windows were watertight, required a technical solution that was largely handed over to Davey Construction, Sarah’s main contractor.
The challenges involved achieving a flush finish and managing the weight and angle – one pane alone weighed three quarters of a tonne – so builder Andy Davey chose to work with a specialist engineer for the structural calculations.
A solution was developed whereby the glass was slotted into steel frames, which were in turn bolted onto the exterior blockwork. These were then hidden beneath the final finish, which was either cedar shingle or external render, with the base of each window appearing to sit directly onto a deep concrete sill.
The windows caused a three-month delay to the project. From Jess’ point of view, the black joint on the right angle corner is a compromise, but to make the windows truly frameless at this point would have pushed the budget too far.
The other compromise is that they don’t open, but with the bifold doors and a fire escape door in the bathroom, all Building Regulations were met.
A High-quality Build
Some of the elements of the house, such as the worktops and the sink, were cast in concrete on site, creating a smooth, seamless effect. The floor is also poured, polished concrete, laid over underfloor heating.
Many of the internal fittings were achieved with cost-effectiveness in mind. Jess sourced the handles for the kitchen units and even the bath from agricultural suppliers, with ebay a rich source for many other finds. The kitchen cupboard doors themselves are made from reclaimed scaffold boards.
Externally, the blurring of the inside/ outside lines continues, with a hot tub, outdoor kitchen, fire pit and dining area. “We’re very much an outdoor family,” says Sarah, who has three adult children. “I love being part of the garden, so the indoor/ outdoor concept was always part of the plan and I think it has been a success.”
For such a compact and simple, onebed property, the build cost of £270,000 could be considered fairly high. “The cost surprised us, but we knew that smaller, bespoke builds are a higher price per square metre,” admits Sarah.
As the property is so far away from a mains gas supply, Sarah opted for an air source heat pump to provide hot water and to run the underfloor heating. She was also attracted to this system due to its green credentials, plus she will receive financial support through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive in the form of cash payments for the next seven years.
Sarah chose the pump based on advice from Davey Construction, a company she has worked with before, who she describes as “very responsive to our needs”. Sarah was happy to leave project management and problem solving in the hands of owner Andy Davey, allowing him to figure out the most effective way to approach the groundworks and the unusual interior plastering.
“I would definitely consider building in this way again in the right location,” says Sarah, who uses The Hide as her personal retreat. “It’s a real escape. Now the gardens are finished, with the amazing lighting at night time, it is beautiful.”