About this project
The construction of the “Edge House”, set on a flood plain at the point where the Norfolk Coastal Path and the local bird sanctuary meet, was inspired by the unique patterns found on the bark of a tree on the site. Replacing an existing house built in the 1950s, the new design is made of a spiral of wedge-shaped in three components — making a unique, interesting structure that offers uninterrupted 180-degree views.
The triangular arrangement of the house consists of three blocks — two collide together separated from the other by a miniaturised canyon leading to the sea. The starting point of the design brief sought to take advantage of the sea views by placing the living spaces on the first floor. Seeking to protect the house from the harsh Norfolk coastal wind, the main entrance is located on the sheltered south side facing away from the sea.
The luxurious oiled Iroko finish of the door makes it a statement feature and stands out from the rest of the building in its colour and texture — brilliantly contrasting with the muted tones of the flint and sweet chestnut. Internally, the house is stylishly contemporary and engaging, evoking a feeling of being in continuous dialogue with the architecture and its setting as you move through the living space. Each part of the interior boasts a richness of materials: from the wide-plank engineered mountain oak floorboards that cover all areas and lend characterful charm, to the limestone hearths and Zellige tiles in the bathrooms.
The feature brick wall creates enough interest and architectural weightiness, giving a sense that the home could endure. Additionally, the brick wall provides a visual link between the first-floor living room and hallway below, at the same time lending a sense of continuity between spaces that are physically separated. The hallway is deliberately moody and compact, which tempers the sense of arrival and compels you to venture up to the naturally illuminated and spacious first-floor living room with views to the coastline.
This project was featured in the RIBA Residential 2021 publication.
The product
For this project, we supplied more than 500m2 of Mountain European Oak with 3 different finishes: Cabin Wood, Regency Grey and Heather Grey.
In addition, the grey steel treads were softened with oak overlays, which visually connect the staircase to the engineered mountain oak flooring in a more coherent way. The entire stair was allowed to age in the workshop before being sealed — this gives the steelwork a natural patina that sets the stage for other handmade materials in the house.
