+44 1494 778 787
+44 1494 778 787
Set on a Devon hillside with stunning sea views, Bay House is designed to seamlessly blend with its surroundings, echoing the curves of the landscape. Architect McLean Quinlan tells us more about this unusual home.
Project details
Architect and interior design: McLean Quinlan
Door 1: Ridge passive in European oak lacquered (2406mm x 1320mm) with BZ11 handle and two clear triple-glazed side lights
Door 2: Ridge passive in European oak finished lacquered (2406mm x 1040mm) with BZ11 handle and clear triple-glazed side light
Structural Engineer: Marbas
Mechanical and electrical services: Martin Thomas Associates
Contractor: Oceanside Property Development
Landscape Design: Eden Design
Photography: Jim Stephenson
Plaster: Clayworks
What was the brief, and how did you meet it?
Our clients asked us to create a home that blended contemporary and timeless design, a calm and comfortable space of natural tones and organic materials. We designed a building that deeply connects with the surrounding countryside. It is a sanctuary, bathed in natural light, where architecture and nature meet to quietly celebrate the changing seasons. The slope and curve of the land required a careful design to bed the house into the existing topography as modestly as possible. The soft arc of the building, solid grounded forms inspired by nearby slate cliffs, and a flat roof echoing the landscape to the north, helped us achieve this. Local materials, particularly stone, added to this sense of place.
Why did you choose Urban Front to create the doors?
We chose the Ridge design because we were specifically looking for this style of door panelling in oak. Urban Front offered a great solution as the design satisfied our aesthetic requirements while remaining compatible with Passivhaus requirements.
What about the interiors?
The main hallway features a floor-to-ceiling window that looks out to a courtyard, framing the stunning views. Deep-set windows and voids in the thick stone walls flood the interior with light, while light timber, natural stone and a neutral colour palette create a warm and calming environment. Key living spaces are on the upper floor, oriented to the west to capture expansive views of the dramatic coastline beyond. Dual-aspect windows in the open living area capture both morning and evening light. Bedrooms sit to the south-eastern end of the house, each with sea views.
Is the property sustainable?
Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the design, from heavily insulated walls and roof, to triple glazed windows, ground source heat pumps and solar panels. Outside, the planting and design promote biodiversity with boardwalks, terraces, stepping stones, ponds and natural planting, generating diverse habitats and free movement for wildlife.
