Winterly

Set within a much-loved coastal town, this new beachside holiday house has been conceived as a place of retreat, reconnection, and quiet escape from the pace of city life. Designed for a family with a deep affinity for the ocean and a long-standing relationship with the area, the home balances openness to the landscape with shelter from the often-harsh coastal climate.

The planning of the house is guided by the movement of the sun and the need for protection from prevailing winds. Living spaces are carefully arranged to capture northern light while creating comfortable, year-round environments suited to both summer holidays and cooler seaside months. Two lounge areas are positioned on either side of a central deck, allowing the family to gather together or find moments of privacy. This north-facing deck forms the heart of the home—an intimate outdoor room that is sheltered, sun-filled, and secluded, yet visually connected to the surrounding landscape. From here, both living zones flow naturally into the kitchen, reinforcing the sense of shared space and informal coastal living.

Material selection has been driven by durability, honesty, and low maintenance, ensuring the house will age gracefully within its exposed environment. Robust brickwork provides permanence and thermal stability, while cement sheet and aluminium battens introduce a lighter expression, capable of withstanding salt air, strong winds, and intense sun. These materials are intended to weather over time, embedding the house more deeply into its coastal setting rather than resisting it.

The landscape, still evolving, will play an essential role in completing the vision. A blend of native and indigenous planting will gradually surround the home, softening its edges and establishing a resilient garden that reflects the character of the local ecology. As it matures, this vegetation will provide both shelter and a natural backdrop, anchoring the house within the dunes and reinforcing the family’s enduring connection to place.

The result is a home that is not simply a holiday destination, but a lasting coastal refuge—one designed to be lived in easily, to withstand its environment, and to support generations of shared experiences by the sea.