On the serrated coastline of Fistral Bay, a new residence by Of Architecture sits on top of a tiered terrace garden on cliffs of Esplanade Road.

Of Architecture is an architecture studio working in London / Newquay / Seoul.

Words by Of Architecture

Photography by Lorenzo Zandri

On the serrated coastline of Fistral Bay, a new residence by Of Architecture sits on top of a tiered terrace garden on cliffs of Esplanade Road. As the clients’ home and workspace, the three-storey building is a project in being inventive with a minimal palette.

The house has a single-pitch zinc roof, untainted and bright-rolled. Paying homage to the former roofline, the facade is demarcated by a staggering horizontal ‘plimsoll’ line. It separates the roughcast render at lower levels with the smooth render above. Monolithic and modest in material, the textured lime render with the silver metals intends to be a refinement of British seaside architecture. 

The practice managed the project on-site, acting as construction manager to manage all sub-contractors and trades directly, ensuring that they could apply the same quality of care and attention to detail to all aspects of the build.

Construction Manager

The floorplan is informed by the sloping terrain of the site. The sculptural plywood stairs leading from the ground floor bring natural light and connection to the main living space upstairs. Long steel beams with an exposed soffit allows for unobstructed views around the 4m-high living space, and from the horizon of the sea to the lawn of the south-facing back garden. On the top floor, the screening room and library with a rooflight offer an intimate setting to read and relax. 

Internally, the house celebrates local materials by featuring bare concrete blocks, revealing the beauty in stonemasonry of the region. With exposed galvanised conduits, ductwork and industrial light fittings, the architecture is truthful to the unembellished infrastructure that powers it.

The brief was to use everyday fixtures and objects to create something special - instilling the quality of the utilitarian and industrial aesthetic into a domestic setting.

Of Architecture is an architecture studio working in London / Newquay / Seoul. They operate across scales and sectors, collaborating with clients ranging from public institutions, charities, to developers, designers and private individuals.

Design Team : James Mak, Fai Chung of Of Architecture

Instagram: @of__uk

Website: studio-of.co.uk

Photography Lorenzo Zandri (@lorenzozandri)


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