Rye Nature Reserve

Set on the fringe of a protected nature reserve in East Sussex, this coastal retreat offers uninterrupted views to the English Channel. The project involved the careful reworking and extension of an existing home, favouring restoration over demolition. A sculptural interplay of pitched and flat-roofed forms, the house is clad in Western Red Cedar shingles, intended to silver over time and blend into the beach just beyond.

Positioned on a natural ridge, the main house opens southward to the sea and a bird reserve, while a smaller bunkhouse faces the stone ridges to the north. New timber decks and raised walkways now connect the two, inviting movement and immersion into the landscape.

Inside, reclaimed Victorian pine and salvaged mill flooring lend warmth and tactility. Industrial furnishings – vintage lockers, 1950s workbenches – add soulful layers to the living space. Folding glass walls dissolve boundaries between inside and out, while deep eaves offer shelter and shade. An air source heat pump replaces the old oil system, reflecting a commitment to lower-impact living.

This is a house shaped by its setting – and respectful of its past.