Natural Materials by the Shore: Architecture for London’s Dorset Beach House
On the Dorset seafront, the Ballard Estate is a rare enclave of single-story timber-frame houses, their origins in a tented military encampment established during the First World War. Architecture for London—celebrated for its thoughtful and sustainable architecture and interiors—was tasked with the refurbishment of one such modest dwelling.
The brief: to bring warmth and light to a pared-back plan, guided by natural materials, improved insulation, and robust weatherproofing. Project architects Ben Ridley, a Passivhaus designer, and Karolina Banasik opted for locally-manufactured British Western Red Cedar cladding, triple-glazed windows, linseed paint, lime plaster, and terracotta. A subtle synergy of craftsmanship and clarity. Here’s a look.
Photography by Building Narratives for Architecture for London.
Above: A checkerboard backsplash frames a wood countertop and a gooseneck faucet. For something similar see the Meir Kitchen Mixer Tap and our post 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Single-Lever Gooseneck Kitchen Faucets.
“The project takes a ‘fabric first’ approach to retrofit, focusing on thermal improvements to the building envelope and windows,” the architects explain. This included new, natural insulation made of wood fiber and cork combined with a “comprehensive airtightness strategy.”
Above: The dining table is surrounded by HAY’s reproduction of the Black J41 Chair designed by Børge Mogensen.
Above: On the table sits Another Country’s Black Pitcher. The sconces are vintage Dutch 1970s Lucifer Sconces by Raak.
Above: The 1,700-square-foot house includes a homey living space, designed with the Noelle Modular Sofa from Soho Home Design. The chair is the Soho Home Dillon Boucle Armchair. The wood-burning stove is the Charnwood Aire Stove.
Above: A similar marble table is the Weaver Coffee Table at Demarchelier; the sculpture is the Vitra Eames House Whale. The wall sconces are another Raak design. The throw is the Dot Pattern Eames Wool Blanket.
Above: A serene bedroom with a custom fabric-finished headboard, a wood block side table, and a vintage J.T. Kalmar sconce.
Above: The bathroom features contrast wainscoting, a Duravit Luv Freestanding Bath designed by Cecilie Manz, and a Vola thermostatic mixer and hand shower.
Above: A wider view of the bath shows the glass-framed shower and terrazzo tile floors.
Above: The dining room features vintage upholstered Baumann Sleigh Chairs, the Nordic Knots Jute Edge Black Rug, and the Noguchi Akari YP1 Pendant.
Above: The British Western Red Cedar cladding was finished with black linseed paint to provide a breathable, weatherproof finish to the external timber.
Above: Ballard Estate is located in Swanage, on the edge of the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, named in 2001.
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