Sea Breeze East Sussex, Camber Sands beach house, Modern Southern English Home, Architecture Photos
Sea Breeze on Camber Sands beach, East Sussex, UK
15 July 2022
Sea Breeze on Camber Sands beach is one of the UK’s best new homes
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the longlist for the 2022 RIBA House of the Year. The shortlist and winner are to be revealed on Channel 4’s Grand Designs: House of the Year.
RIBA House of the Year 2022 Winners
4 May 2022
2022 RIBA Southeast Award Winners
2022 RIBA Southeast Award winners
Photos : Richard Chivers
Design: RX Architects
Sea Breeze, Camber Sands beach
Jury Report
This project is experimental and delightful – and pink! A unique interpretation of a beach house, it has been designed to withstand the harsh coastal environment whilst still embracing the light-hearted pleasures of the English seaside.
Located on Camber Sands in East Sussex, directly backing on to the natural sand dunes and with outstanding views across the beach and English Channel to the south, Seabreeze can only be accessed – and could only be built – by driving along the beach. The architects recognised that they would have to design a robust building to cope with the extreme weather conditions, with high winds, moving sand and salt air. They chose a simple shape – an abstraction of the neighbouring buildings, reminiscent of a child’s drawing of a house.
This simplicity is enhanced by the decision to omit gutters and window ledges, all of which act as ledges for sand. Instead the architects designed the windows to be flush with the external faces of the house – and it is here that the building’s experimental aspects come into play: the building has been externally finished in trowelled micro fibre concrete with a pink pigment, to create a sealed external envelope. They considered the external material selection carefully so that it is robust and strong; however, the pink pigment in the finish softens the visual impact and sets the building off against the dramatic and ever-changing backdrop of the sky and beach – and of course speaks of ice cream and candyfloss.
The festive character continues inside, but here the pleasures of leisure time are taken seriously, with bespoke joinery containing drinks cabinets and kitchen cupboards. Excellent detailing and space planning means that the small size of the building is focused on harmonising the activities inside with the spectacular setting. A mini spa is nestled at the back of the ground floor, with a timber stair rising to wood-lined bedrooms with commanding views.
Who wouldn’t like to be beside the seaside, if they were staying at this naughty-but-nice gem?
RIBA region: Southeast
Architect practice: RX Architects
Date of completion: 12 2020
Date of occupation: 12 2020
Project city/town: East Sussex
Gross internal area: 178.00 m²
Net internal area: 151.00 m²
Contractor company name: Coast View Property Ltd
Consultants
Structural Engineers: Stephen Evans Associates LLP
Environmental / M&E Engineers: Baltic Heating
Awards
• RIBA Regional Award
• Regional Award Short List
15 December 2021
Sea Breeze on Camber Sands beach, East Sussex
Design: RX Architects
Location: Camber Sands beach, East Sussex, Southern England, UK
Photos by Richard Chivers
Sea Breeze on Camber Sands beach, East Sussex, England
Sea Breeze is located on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex, directly backing on to the natural sand dunes behind and with outstanding views across the beach and English Channel to the south. The site is unique in that it is one of only a handful of properties in the region which are only accessed by driving along the beach making the construction extremely challenging.
The dune formations behind the property are a unique landscape feature and are designated as a SSSI, also attracting migrating birds. The designs are focused on creating a robust building to cope with the extreme weather conditions, with high winds, moving sand and salt air.
The building has been externally finished in trowelled micro fibre concrete with a pink pigment, to create a sealed external envelope. The external material selection was carefully considered to be robust and strong, however the pink pigment in the finish softens the visual impact and sets the building off against the dramatic and ever changing backdrop of the sky and beach.
The windows have been designed to sit flush with the external façade, to avoid creating ledges on which sand can build and effect the building. There are also no gutters or conventional details where sand and salt could create issues to the building.
The building is heated and passively cooled via two 90m deep bore holes along with an MVHR system. The sealed external envelop also has significant thermal mass which has resulted in a highly energy efficient and comfortable property. The triple glazed windows have also been designed to significantly reduce the external acoustic effects which are an important consideration in the hostile and exposed environment.
The plans include a wellness spa with a steam pod, sauna and a plunge pool, along with open plan living accommodation with large expanses of glazing looking across the beach. There are 3 double bedrooms at first floor level with two en suite rooms and a family bathroom. The external retaining wall of the landscaping has been designed in a curving corten, to appear sculptural yet also retain the sand and dunes surrounding the building and protect the decked terrace areas.
Internally a fumed oak cladding has been used to frame and emphasise the views out and to bring warmth to the interiors. Terrazzo flooring has been used throughout the ground floor with an aggregate mix resembling the shingle of the beach. The walls have been painted in a textured natural lime paint to give a more tactile finish.
New Property at Camber Sands beach, East Sussex – Building Information
Design: RX Architects
Contractor: Coast View Properties
Joinery: Chartwood Design
M&E: Baltic Heating
Kitchen: Portrait Kitchens
Tiles: Mandarin Stone
Sanitary Ware: Vado
Size: 178 sqm
Photos by Richard Chivers
Sea Breeze on Camber Sands beach, East Sussex images / information received 151221 from RX Architects
Location: Camber Sands beach, East Sussex, southern England, UK
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