Contemporary living close hauled with Cowes’ world beating marine heritage 

While meeting up with Robert to discuss his recently completed project ‘The Studio’ for local client, developer Chris Sandell, it is easy to see just how much passion and care Robert puts into his projects. The studio has proved a chance to showcase this to great effect. 

As scheme designer Robert has no hesitation in revealing the biggest success of the project. He said: "In assuring careful attention to detail and spatial planning my solution has allowed me to really optimise the design. We have created a ‘tardis’ effect gaining a sense of space greater than the plans on face value seem to provide."

The design merges interior and exterior on this restricted footprint where Robert knew that approval would only be given for a ‘like for like’ replacement building of what was a small and very much unloved existing structure in extreme disrepair.

The building has been designed to nestle within its natural grandstand where the Solent provides the stage. Using the natural topography the residence is split level and built over four floors to optimise the views from so many of the rooms. The use of a flat roofed design allowed Robert to increase the structure’s volume and the split level gifted the design an additional half storey while still keeping the overall height within the silhouette of the former dwelling.

He admitted: “Keeping the solution below the previous structure’s roof height was vital” 

Robert used his experience and long-standing good working relationship with our local planning department to find an innovative design solution optimising the site without being overpowering in its environment. 

If there is a sea view you inevitably see houses ‘jostling’ for position and part of the role that our Local Planning Authority take is ensuring balance and community. By supporting the Studio’s contemporary design with its strong reflections of West Cowes’ 30’s grandeur it has allowed Robert’s expert design to positively enhance it’s location as it settles into its milieu so fluently. 

Another bijou piece of history recovered from the grips of time and tide….

Being a building on a cliff just above Freshwater Bay means dealing with hard blows. For some 160 years each time gales from the south swept in, Fort Redoubt would brace itself for the beautiful and dramatic weather that shapes the southern coasts of Wight. The Fort itself digs deep into the cliff and on stormy nights the crashing sea resonates through the structure. Fort Redoubt is a veritable iceberg with as much tucked into the cliff as ever there is above. In bygone days this uncompromising position provided excellent protection looking from the west of Freshwater Bay across the channel.

The small stone built accommodation facility, now known as “Moonfleet”, after the classic children’s novel based around Dorset and the Isle of Wight, was built in the 1850’s, originally to house the chief gunner. The cottage fell into disrepair until the current owners decided to bring the simple, yet classical, living quarters back into use as unique holiday accommodation. Only a small amount of the stonework including the fire hearth and the remains of the chimney breast was left standing but rebuild and restoration works started to breathe life back into these forgotten remains. Designer and Project Manager, Chris Chatwin of local practice ermc limited loves to embrace the heritage and history of the building. He takes time to research and learn more about who lived there before and what secrets the building hides in its memory before embarking on his projects.

As you look at this simple and tranquille little building afforded with a quite breathtaking panorama you understand the importance that these treasures hold in our built environment and to the rich tapestry that their continued custodianship weaves for our Garden Isle.

Civilisation is so beautifully diverse and eclectic, these two projects highlight the values bestowed from new and old and the inheritance that good design from every era and different cultures can gift a community. I love the apparent paradox from the union of historic and modern; ageing and contemporary. Pastiche sadly does not build a true picture of our challenging and sometimes turbulent relationship with design.