Salthouse Cottage

Salthouse Cottage is a carefully considered extension to an existing coastal cottage, transforming a group of dilapidated outbuildings into a light-filled, functional living space designed around modern family life. Set within an unusual triangular plot, the layout was shaped to maximise usable space while making full use of long views across the marshes and out to sea. Positioning the main living area on the first floor allows the extension to engage directly with its wider landscape and sense of place.

The clients approached the project seeking additional space and improved day-to-day functionality. While the original cottage was compact, it lacked the practical spaces required for contemporary living. The extension introduces a dedicated utility room to accommodate storage and services, keeping the open-plan kitchen and dining area clear, calm and focused on social use.

The new living space was designed to support the clients’ lifestyle and love of entertaining, providing a generous setting for hosting friends in the evenings, whether for shared meals or relaxed board-game nights. Bespoke joinery was incorporated to display their extensive board-game collection, allowing it to become a visible and integral part of the interior.

Internally, the design reflects the clients’ preference for Scandinavian and coastal influences, with timber panelling, exposed brickwork, oak detailing and timber ceiling battens adding warmth and texture. The Juliet balcony has been carefully considered to maximise views while minimising visual interruption, through use of an integral balustrade. The tilt-and-turn doors allows controlled ventilation even in exposed coastal conditions.

Sustainability and resilience were integral to the design approach. Embodied carbon was carefully considered throughout the construction, with a lightweight timber-frame structure used at first-floor level and wrapped in breathable woodfibre insulation. At ground-floor level, Porotherm hollow clay blocks were selected to improve flood resilience while maintaining strong thermal performance. The aging oil-fired boiler was replaced with an air-source heat pump, and cavity insulation was added to the existing house, significantly improving comfort while reducing running costs. Together these measures support a robust, energy-efficient extension well suited to its exposed coastal setting.

The result is an extension that feels practical, personal and closely connected to its surroundings.