Bay House

: North Devon

The client sought a contemporary, enduring family home, private and sheltered, yet open to the drama of the North Devon landscape.

Set within the protected North Devon Coast National Landscape, the steep hillside topography was the primary design driver. Rather than imposing on the land, the building's curved form follows the natural contours of the hillside, creating a typology that feels unearthed from its setting, neither archetypal rural vernacular nor overtly sculptural. The architecture draws from its surroundings: thick stone walls reference the nearby slate cliffs, while a grass roof and palette of sawn oak, lime plaster, and Purbeck stone chosen for local resonance, tactile warmth, and capacity to age beautifully. A planted courtyard anchors the plan, drawing landscape into the home, while recessed glazing frames curated views of sea and sky. Living spaces are positioned on the upper level to capture western light and panoramic views, while bedrooms are tucked to the south-east for privacy and retreat, a layered arrangement supporting both gathering and stillness. Sustainability is embedded at every level: super-insulated fabric, ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and MVHR systems sit alongside wild planting, ponds, and wildlife corridors. The result is a home that contributes positively to its local ecology and offers inhabitants a calm, restorative connection to the natural world.