Part of the design strategy was to sensitively integrate the new works into the existing site, without extending too far beyond the original building footprint. As well as, enhance the connection to the local flora, beach and waves. The extensive outdoor terrace, coupled with the Eastern facing glazing, provides various opportunities to visually and physically connect the external environment. We worked hard to optimise the layout to make flexible spaces, that could accommodate many people in such a way so as not to feel over crowded. We elevated the living space to celebrate the sea views with an outdoor room merging down to landscape via generous amphitheater seating. The bedrooms on the lower ground floor act as a bunker for insulated thermal mass with a robust structure to resist impacts of climate change.

The site sits in the 2100 Coastal hazard zone. The existing landscape was re-shaped to create a deflection berm to mitigate the site against the impact of surf surges. This berm also grounds the building and links the outdoor living room on the first floor to the landscape. The site has been planted with endemic species to encourage local biodiversity along with a bird bath. A Norfolk Pine was removed, with an endemic species planted in its place. Monzonite, an igneous rock excavated locally, was re-used onsite and celebrated in the landscaping as stairs, retaining structure and as an outdoor chair.

Materials were selected for their durability and low embodied carbon, including; retaining existing concrete, new carbon neutral concrete, recycled hardwood cladding, AHJ recycled hardwood windows, existing aluminum cladding as formwork and carbon neutral tapware.

The design incorporated the reuse of a ~30,000L in-ground rainwater tank for toilet, laundry and landscape irrigation. Water and resource efficient fittings and fixtures were specified, which included carbon-neutral tapware from Sussex. WSUD principles were applied across the site, which included the specification of all new external hard surfaces as permeable paving or natural stone draining to the adjacent landscape.

The design operates in mixed mode, it has been designed to Passive House principles where the house can be sealed up to operate in high-performance Passive House mode during peak summer and winter conditions, yet also opened up to connect with the landscape and enjoy the sea breezes when conditions are ideal. Initial blower door tests have shown the house to achieve ~2ACH@50Pa.

After 55 years (lifespan assumed by the LCA standard EN 15978), the project is predicted to have a negative carbon footprint of -33,494kgCO2-e. Due to the onsite PV system, every year beyond this will continue to provide an excess of 7,000kWh back into the grid.