As all the nearby properties are traditional bungalows, Pippa and David were afraid their contemporary home would rufe feathers. “As it turned out, we didn’t have any objections and our home is now cited as precedent for new planning applications,” says Pippa.


“Their first hiccup came when certain elements of the design didn’t pass the weatherproofing standards for the area set out by Building Control. This focused on construction details relating to thermal bridging around the windows and the pocket doors. “West Cornwall is in zone four, which has far more extreme weather than say, London.” The issue was solved by Pippa and David commissioning local architecture firm illy ewarne to finalise the necessary details, which were then passed.” Before demolishing the existing bungalow and starting their build, the couple were required to take deep core samples of the ground on the plot. This was due to the area’s mining history. There is even a historic mine shaft in the next field. After extensive investigation, however, nothing was found except a large hole, probably once a cesspit and a concrete tank that was almost certainly used for water. “There was no mains supply here until the 1950s,” exclaims Pippa. “Imagine that!”


CONSTRUCTION DETAILS Their structural engineer recommended local building firm Davey Construction, who constructed the house using masonry and steel. The idea of a ‘green’ roof appealed to Pippa and David, but it became one of the early thoughts that didn’t survive an encounter with the budget. Instead, the couple opted for a standard


28 www.sbhonline.co.uk


The interiors are, of course, all Pippa and David’s work


membrane; a common solution for modern at roofs.


While the couple left construction details to the experts, “It was the aesthetic that we were quite prescriptive about,” recalls Pippa. These included the materials used to finish the house’s exterior, which is predominantly stone clad, with sections of render and Kebony. Kebony is a softwood chemically treated to extend its lifespan to around thirty years. It is delivered as a rich brown, although it fades to a silver grey over time.


ebony is also available in different profiles, so the couple chose to attach it vertically, with a routered line down the middle to further narrow the appearance of each strip.


Choosing the stone was critical to the correct finish, and ippa and David’s attention to detail meant they specified not just the colour, but also the quarry it came from.


“If you walk along the coast here, the rocks


are all bluey-grey, with bright orange and sage green lichen,” says Pippa. “We wanted to use local stone, as cheaper Welsh and Chinese stone is the wrong colour for this landscape. As artists, this matters to us!” The couple’s choice was Trebarwith Road


Quarry, where two seams produce a grey/blue stone that yellows in time, and a rusty-coloured one. Combined, this stone cladding does a remarkable job of settling the house into


sep/oct 2023


LOW POINT


“Struggling to find an architect who shared our vision.”


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