CONTEMPORARY
Cliffside
living
Whitsand Bay in south east Cornwall runs from Rame Head in the east to Portwrinkle in the west. Its sheer, high cliffs, dramatic scenery and long stretches of sandy beaches have attracted holidaymakers since the early twentieth century when an ad hoc settlement of chalets began to colonise the cliffs. Many of the original wooden buildings have now reached the end of their natural life, and today their owners are keen to upgrade for improved thermal performance and more spacious accommodation.
MAGNIFICENT
minimalism
The project involved the replacement of the existing 2-bedroom chalet and its external bathroom, with a new 2-bedroom chalet with bathroom, and open-plan kitchen / living / dining area. By careful negotiation with the local authority we managed to obtain concessions which allowed for increased headroom within the new chalet.
Extensive glazing makes the most of the site’s magnificent views and a minimal, white-painted interior enhances the sense of internal space. Our clients, one of whom is an artist, chose fittings and furniture whose simplicity complements the modest aesthetic of the chalet itself. Storage was built-in in benches and under beds to keep clutter out of sight.
Externally the chalet is clad in western red cedar which will weather naturally to a muted grey. A hardwood deck extends the living space from inside to outside making full use of the depth of the plot.
