Kidson Houses

Cornwall

The site for these two new buildings is a steeply sloping hillside above Porthtowan beach on the north coast of Cornwall. As such it has dramatic views out over the Atlantic and south down the coast to St Ives.

In addition to a new family house the clients wanted a second, smaller and adjacent building to accommodate a studio and accommodation for visitors.

Both buildings rely on passive solar gain as their primary source of heating, and this is reflected in the use of highly insulated masonry walls, concrete floors and roof. The south west elevations, facing the views, are fully glazed to capture the solar gain during the winter, but the full width balconies and brise soleil will prevent overheating in the summer.

The main house incorporates a central courtyard to provide shelter from the prevailing winds, as well as natural light into the central areas of the house.

The exterior walls and roofs of both buildings are clad with FSC certified hardwood left to weather naturally to a silvery grey. These timber flat roofs will also act as large promenade decks for the accommodation below.