Text description provided by the architects. Perched up high on a limestone cliff overlooking the sea where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean, the new home allows our clients to live among the ever changing light and atmosphere of the ocean. The architecture of the home is one of total focus on these views, with the main living spaces located on the first floor, combined with a strict brief to achieve a low carbon home.
Elements of the design ensure that the building’s long term energy performance will be exceptional - utilising an air source heat pump feeding a wet under-floor heating system with whole house mechanical heat recovery ventilation. Hot water is stored in cylinder tanks assisted by solar thermal and the air source heat pump.
The building is constructed from insulated concrete formwork giving it a highly insulated air tight perimeter. To balance the heaviness of the building fabric a cedar clad balcony frame is introduced to focus on sea views, with vertical and horizontal planes creating a series of sophisticated spatial layers. Angled louvers are intended to help create a semi-transparent object whilst avoiding overlooking and to provide wind protection. It also creates adaptable rain canopies, solar shading, cover for a carport and an entrance canopy.
