This decidedly contemporary two-bedroom house lies a short walk from the beach in Ferring, West Sussex. Neutral interiors amplify the soothing coastal light that enters through broad windows at the front and rear. A tactile material palette combines with playful pockets of colour added at intervals throughout. Built with sustainability at its core, the building has been constructed with structurally insulated panels or SIPs and is served by an air source heat pump.

The Building

Structurally insulated panels (SIPs) are a fabric-first approach to building sustainable, well-insulated homes. They vastly reduce a home's heat loss by improving airtightness, minimising thermal bridging, and maximising insulation. The panels are prefabricated off-site, dramatically reducing the construction time and material waste. They comprise of a rigid core of insulation sandwiched between two layers of OSB, which can be finished internally and externally to design.

Here, the external cladding is Linea from Equitone, a reconstituted fibre cement panel with a 3D design. Based on the dimensions of the human hand, the low-profile ridges add a subtle dynamism as they catch the light differently depending on orientation and time of day. Combined with the air source heat pump, this home is well-equipped for a sustainable future.

The Tour

Stepped back from the private street, the house comprises a series of angled, pitched profiles punctuated with black-framed windows. A green door with a nautical circular window sits behind a gravelled front garden with plenty of spaces for potted coastal plants.

Entry is to the open-plan living, kitchen and dining room, the bright and social centre of the house. Neutrally-toned rubber floors spread out underfoot and shuttered concrete rises to a datum across the walls. This concrete basin is evidence of the innovative construction method used, and adds a unique character throughout. A seating area is arranged at the front of the room, orientated towards sliding doors that open to a front terrace.

The kitchen and dining area is behind, with plenty of space for a large table and chairs. Arranged in an L-shape, the white kitchen units resonate with the room’s overarching penchant for simple clean lines. It has an induction hob and a stainless-steel sink below a window. Sea-green tiles between high and low cabinetry form a spirited backsplash.

In the far corner of the ground floor is the first of the house’s two bedrooms, a spacious double with a built-in cupboard and the shuttered concrete that runs a datum around the room. A smart bathroom completes the ground-floor plan and has a walk-in shower encased in peachy-pink tiles.