Site progress in East Sussex: Ghyll House

Ghyll House is now entering its final weeks on site, with completion expected in time for Christmas. 

The project has steadily taken shape over the past months, and the house now sits with quiet confidence in its landscape. Inside, the main finishes are in place, and the living spaces already feel generous and calm, with light pouring in from the garden and across the long views. The interiors are being fine-tuned, with the last details and commissioning now underway.

Externally, the dry-stone walls and timber cladding are finished, giving the house its strong yet understated character. Landscaping is now in full swing, with planting, water features and the pool taking shape. These will be the final touches, settling the house gently into its setting.

Since the completion of the ground and enabling works by the main contractor, we have been delivering the project through a Contract Management route with an experienced contracts manager. This approach was chosen to give us greater control and flexibility during construction, and it has proved to be an incredibly rewarding process.

Working closely with the client and contracts manager, we’ve achieved significant cost savings without compromising quality. In fact, these savings have been reinvested into the build, allowing for an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and detail. It has been a genuine collaboration between client, contract manager and architect, with shared commitment and care evident in every part of the house.

The client has been deeply involved throughout, contributing to both creative and technical decisions. This has gone as far as 3D-printing bespoke trims to refine shadow gaps and designing custom recesses for items such as fire alarms. The result is a home that feels crafted rather than constructed, with every junction and material considered.

Internally, natural materials define the atmosphere, with lime and clay plasters used throughout to bring warmth and depth to the spaces. These materials, combined with the tactile stone and timber palette outside, give the house a calm and timeless character.

Everything remains on track for handover in the coming months, marking the completion of a home designed for stillness, connection and time well spent.