Seabreeze

Sea Breeze is located on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex, directly backing on to the natural sand dunes behind and with outstanding views across the beach and English Channel to the south. The site is unique in that it is one of only a handful of properties in the region which are only accessed by driving along the beach making the construction extremely challenging.

The dune formations behind the property are a unique landscape feature and are designated as a SSSI, also attracting migrating birds. The designs are focused on creating a robust building to cope with the extreme weather conditions, with high winds, moving sand and salt air. The building has been externally finished in trowelled micro fibre concrete with a pink pigment, to create a sealed external envelope. The pink hue gives a nod to traditional pink plastered Mediterranean beach houses, and the tone changes depending on the natural light and sun levels.

The windows have been designed to sit flush with the external façade, to avoid creating ledges on which sand can build and effect the building. There are also no gutters or conventional details where sand and salt could create issues to the building.

As the property is situated directly on the beach, tidal flood modelling was carried out in consultation with the Environment Agency, factoring in climate change scenarios to set the buildings level and overall construction methods. The overall concept and key principles of the project are to create a building which is specifically designed to cope with the harsh and extreme weather, whilst providing a comfortable place to live with low energy requirements.

The building is heated and passively cooled via two 90m deep bore holes along with an MVHR system. The sealed external envelop also has significant thermal mass which has resulted in a highly energy efficient and comfortable property. The triple glazed windows have also been designed to significantly reduce the external acoustic effects which are an important consideration in the hostile and exposed environment.

The plans include a wellness spa with a steam pod, sauna and a plunge pool, along with open plan living accommodation with large expanses of glazing looking across the beach. There are 3 double bedrooms at first floor level with two en suite rooms and a family bathroom. The external retaining wall of the landscaping has been designed in a curving corten, to appear sculptural yet also retain the sand and dunes surrounding the building and protect the decked terrace areas.

Internally a fumed oak cladding has been used to frame and emphasise the views out and to bring warmth to the interiors. Terrazzo flooring has been used throughout the ground floor with an aggregate mix resembling the shingle of the beach. The walls have been painted in a textured natural lime paint to give a more tactile finish.

Project TypeResidentialLocationCamber, East SussexAwardsRIBA South east award, RIBA House of the Year 2022 shortlist, Sunday Times British Homes award winner 2022, Sussex Heritage Trust award winner, Dezeen House of the Year shortlistPhotographerRichard Chivers