This project proposes a new-build contemporary coastal home in Sandbanks in Dorset. Positioned on one of the UK’s most exclusive waterfront peninsulas, the house is conceived as a refined, multi-level dwelling that maximises panoramic views across Poole Harbour and the English Channel while responding sensitively to its coastal setting.
Arranged over five distinct levels, the design adopts a vertical composition that reflects the .form of the surrounding buildings. The lower levels are dedicated to lower priority spaces, accommodating car parking, guest bedrooms, and leisure spaces. These floors are carefully planned to ensure privacy, shelter and security, while still benefiting from controlled views and access to landscaped terraces.
As the building rises, the architecture becomes progressively more open. Mid-level floors are dedicated to secondary living areas and additional bedrooms, each with expansive glazing and balconies that frame uninterrupted coastal vistas. Circulation is conceived as a vertical journey, with a central stair and lift core providing a clear organisational spine while revealing glimpses of the sea throughout.
The culmination of the design is the top-floor penthouse level, which houses the principal living, dining, and kitchen space. This elevated volume is fully glazed and opens onto generous roof terraces, creating a dramatic, light-filled environment.. The penthouse is designed as a single, flowing space, emphasizing openness, flexibility, and a strong connection to the surrounding seascape.. Deep overhangs and sliding glass systems enable seamless indoor–outdoor living while offering protection from coastal winds and solar gain.
Materially, the house is defined by a restrained palette of high-quality, durable finishes suited to the marine environment, including natural stone, architectural concrete, and corrosion-resistant metal detailing. Extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing reinforces the horizontal layering of the façade and ensures that the sea remains the central focus of the design.
Sustainability is integrated through passive and active strategies, including high-performance building fabric, optimised solar orientation, and natural stack ventilation, all tailored to the coastal climate.
Positioned on one of the UK’s most exclusive waterfront peninsulas, the new build house is a refined, multi-level dwelling that maximises panoramic views across Poole Harbour and the English Channel.
