About this home:

Oyster House sits high above Port Navas Creek, deep within an AONB. Respectful of its visibility, the house carefully steps back up the hillside and the overall mass is reduced on the upper levels. The main entrance hall, with its dramatic steel and timber staircase, is recessed to help to break the form even further. Windows overlooking the creek are deeply recessed, providing shade in the summer months and shelter in winter. The lower two floors are clad in locally sourced stone, providing the house with a solid grounding on the site while also matching other buildings in the village and referencing the robust quay walls nearby. The upper floor delicately rests on top and is clad in untreated timber, a nod to the surrounding woodland.

Planning Insights:

10 months at planning

A number of discussions were held with the AONB team to ensure the design was sensitive to their concerns, while still delivering Andy and Melissa’s dream home. A number of design options were developed, demonstrating great flexibility and understanding between both parties. Finally, a design that stepped carefully down the steep slope, breaking up the overall mass and utilising recessive, natural materials that were present in the area ensured support from the AONB team and planning officer.