26NEWSWWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF JUNE 2019
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Island Cottage, constructed in 1830 in
a conservation area at the southern limit
of Sidlesham Quay village in West Sussex,
and highlighted by the local authority
as a key local example of rural
character, presented a challenge to Paul
Cashin Architects in its refurbishment
and extension.
The cottage is sited in a major flood
risk area, “a precarious context which
demanded a considered approach,” said
the firm. T he original building had
been extended over many years,
“mostly with insensitive and
cumbersome additions.”
The practice’s brief was “to restore
the cottage and reconcile its history of
extensions to the landscape of the nature
reserve of Sidlesham and Pagham beyond.”
The original house’s identity having been
lost, the architects’ “first move was to
establish the lines of the original cottage
and draw a single route through the house.”
This is experienced as a simple door from
the library at the formal end of the house,
leading north to south straight towards the
rear garden.
Reinstating the library and guest
bedrooms and bathrooms enabled the
original cottage to be distinguished from
later additions. A flowing movement was
created between downstairs rooms and
views through and across the house
were opened up, with each room “open on
many sides.”
The roof is accessible, allowing for
informal gathering on a grass terrace
gaining views far beyond the immediate
gardens. The facades have been uplifted
with larch cladding, new timber windows
and a series of timber loggias set into
the gardens.
The landscaping strategy alleviates
flood risk by providing “a bung to the
garden edge,” said the architects, while
encouraging native species planting to take
over the new timber structure directly
connected to the house.
The client sourced much of the
interior fixtures and finishes from
salvage yards and online second hand
boutiques, and the house is decorated with
reclaimed materials, giving it a worn-in,
‘beachy’ feel.
Paul Cashin Architects refurbs key
West Sussex cottage
REFURBISHMENT