Private House

Strict local planning regulations dictated that a maximum of 20% of the site could be built, and gave limitations on the number of storeys and maximum height of the building. As such, designs in the area are quite boxy by nature in order to try to maximise the built area within these tight restrictions.  

The client wanted a contemporary house for his family, with a real connection to the outside and the water. Our challenge was to create a home on this greatly constrained – reasonably small – site, that felt generous and rooted in the location.

The house consists of two storeys and a basement level.  The entrance is on road level (which is the ground floor), and this floor comprises living, kitchen and dining areas.

Upon entry, the hallway is double-height, and immediately offers a beautiful view of the sea. To the left are the dining room and kitchen, and to the right are the living spaces. A staircase cantilevers off a striking board-marked concrete wall.

The living areas form an 'L' shape, and spill out onto a large terrace. This layout offers maximum privacy from neighbours, as well as creating a private area for enjoying the best views facing northwest - from inside and outside.

The first floor contains two children's bedrooms, a family snug and master bedroom suite.  The master suite has a large terrace with a striking view overlooking the sea.

Due to the slope of the site, the basement will only be partially underground.  Spaces such as the utility, storage and plant room will be located to the rear of the underground space, and at the front there is a spa suite with a sauna, a yoga studio and a snug/ cinema room. The sauna enjoys  sea views, and there is direct access to the outside and down to the water. This allows for a dip in the sea after a sauna session – for those bold enough to brave the Swedish water!

There are large triple-glazed areas at the rear of the house to maximise light and views in this stunning locations. Timber sliding screens provide privacy and shading - as and when required, and create a dynamic element to the façade.

The house is heated with a ground source heat pump with boreholes. In the summertime, circulation cooling makes the most of the boreholes to provide affordable, environmentally-friendly background cooling.  Heat recovery ventilation is used throughout.

The house is finished to a very high specification, with sandblasted limestone floor and bespoke joinery throughout, including kitchen, bathrooms and dressing rooms. The spa suite – as the entire basement – has a polished concrete floor, and black micro mosaic tiles, made from recycled TVs. Quality has been considered throughout the project, down to careful specification of every detail, such as taps, sockets, services and hardware.