Home-grown Design and Architecture
Recovered from the Grips of Time and Tide
by Sarah Edwards of E.R.M.C. Ltd In this month’s edition, following all that
is good in the Island’s home-grown Design and Architecture, I have had the chance to feature an interesting little ‘micro’ heritage regeneration project.
The completed ‘Moonfleet’ at Fort Redoubt Freshwater Bay, rescued by designer Chris Chatwin
WE look at Fort Redoubt at Freshwater Bay, and more specifically a small unassuming former ruin within its grounds, which had new life breathed into it by local designer Chris Chatwin of ermc limited. Another bijou piece of history recovered from the grips of time and tide. Being a building on a cliff just above Freshwater Bay means dealing with hard blows.
For some 160 years each time gales from the south sweep in, Fort Redoubt has braced itself for the beautiful and dramatic weather that shapes the southern coasts of Wight.
The Fort itself digs deep into the cliff and on stormy nights the crashing seas resonate through the structure. Fort Redoubt is a veritable iceberg with as much tucked into the cliff as ever there is above.
In bygone days this uncompromising position, looking from the west of Freshwater Bay across the channel, provided excellent protection.
The small stone built accommodation facility, now 76
www.styleofwight.co.uk
known as ‘Moonfleet’ - after the classic children’s novel based around Dorset and the Isle of Wight - was built in the 1850’s, originally to house the chief gunner. The cottage had fallen into disrepair until the current owners decided to bring the simple, yet classical, cottage back into use as unique holiday accommodation.
Only a small amount of the stonework including the fire hearth and the chimney breast was left standing - but rebuild and restoration works started to breathe life back into these forgotten remains.
Designer and Project Manager, Chris Chatwin of local practice ermc limited loves to embrace the heritage and history of buildings.
He takes time to research and learn more about who lived there before and what secrets might hide in a building’s memory before embarking on his projects.
As you look at this simple and tranquille little building afforded with a quite breathtaking panorama you
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