A contemporary coastal home set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Long Cove replaces a 1940s brick bungalow for a family of wildlife filmmakers, offering a new-build home that honours the natural setting of Porthcothan AONB. The brief was to create a high-performance, sustainable home, inspired by traditional Cornish stone and slate, with enhanced biodiversity and energy efficiency.
Metters & Wellby delivered the full architectural service, including concept and planning design, technical detailing, interior design, and project management. We now oversee construction with bi-weekly site visits, ensuring quality and intent throughout.
The compact form is articulated into three volumes to reduce visual bulk and respect neighbouring rooflines. Carefully placed north‑facing glazing maximises far‑reaching sea views while overhangs, recessed fenestration and the choice of recessive materials ensure the design integrates sensitively into its coastal context.
From a poor energy‑rated bungalow (G rating) to a future‑proof home: internal concrete formwork (ICF), high‑performance insulation, air/ground‑source heat pump, solar PV, rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging, and bee bricks. A dedicated landscape scheme delivers measurable biodiversity net gain.
The site’s sloping topography allows for additional floor space via a “cut into the hill” strategy. Living spaces are arranged to take full advantage of north‑east sea views, with light channels designed on the sunny south side to draw daylight deep into the plan. Local craftsmen and suppliers were prioritised to deliver authenticity in materiality and finish.
Amanda (our interior designer) and Sam (technical detailing lead) have fused client aspirations and regulatory compliance into a cohesive interior and technical package.
Construction is underway, with our team providing close on‑site coordination.
“James has delivered an absolutely outstanding design… we are so grateful to your whole team… now we are so excited to bring it to life!” – Client feedback
