Napenthe

The stunning seaward outlook together with the challenges of building in a remote coastal location with no road access dictated the form and construction method for this eco-friendly holiday house on the Sussex coast.

Micro piles bored deep into the loose shale of the cliff secure the prefabricated steel spider frame that supports the simple extruded form of the larch-clad timber-framed house above and the decks that cantilever in front of it.

The linear plan of the house, accentuated by the continuous glazing on the seaward elevation and the ply-lined soft fold of the zinc-clad roof above, makes the most of the view, with sliding walls separating the bedrooms at each end when required.

An air-to-water heat pump supplies virtually all the hot water demand for the building including the under floor heating system, with a log burning stove providing additional space heating as required. High levels of insulation and air tightness, rainwater harvesting, a composting toilet, low energy lighting and a photovoltaic array further contribute to the eco-specification.