Inclume Architects discover that one of the best ways to future-proof a home is to simply make it mobile. Rather than chasing dreams of your typical glass-structure of a bolt-on extension, the clients of a cliff-top plot in Suffolk asked the design team for a ‘kit house’ cabin that they’d be able to pack up and take with them if they were to relocate.
Though the cliff-tops of the Suffolk coastline offer rather enviable views and a sense of seclusion that most could only dream of, coastal erosion is a real threat to these rocky ridges. “As a result of longshore drift activity, the level of erosion to the headland may eventually cause significant damage to the properties along the coast,” Inclume Architects tell enki.
So for a client who wanted to increase the footprint of their Grade II listed dwelling-on-the-sea, Inclume Architects took a more considered approach, prioritising the longevity of the build with a moveable, lightweight ‘kit house.’ Or in this case, a ‘kit studio’.
Working with a local carpenter and construction company just 25 miles from the site, the cabin on wheels rolled up as a charcoal body of vertical timber planks. Charred and sourced locally, the cladding envelopes a simple gabled silhouette.
Speaking to the benefits of off-site manufacturing, Inclume Architects say, “this ensured high quality craftsmanship and allowed for workshop tolerances, reducing wastage and minimising the carbon footprint of the project.”
But Inclume didn’t have to sell this to the client; for this wasn’t their first foray with pre-fabricated buildings. Remarkably, the existing Grade II listed property on-site was also first constructed as a ‘kit house’.
Ultimately this means that, if and when required, both structures can be easily disassembled and relocated. And, if the clients see fit, the layouts can even be rearranged and tailored to bow to future needs. “The simple timber construction and layout also means the design is readily adaptable if needs change in the future.”
But let’s step back into the cabin for a moment. Despite a bijoux plan of only 20 sq. m, Inclume Architects have managed to carefully carve a bed space, shower room, kitchen and living area into the timber-tipped studio. On top of the slithers of glass that break up the cladding and let in light, a large glazed gable fronts the space, looking out over the waves of the North Sea that crash fitfully below.
Keen to maximise the humble 20 sq.m, the team have – as you’d expect – leant into to an open-plan layout. Open eaves work to create the illusion of a larger space, while timber lining further emphasise the height and openness of the space.
By veering away from the expectations of an extension and instead devising a singular build with modular principles, Inclume Architects successfully increase the footprint of this Suffolk home while promoting privacy, craftsmanship, and ultimately, the future of the build.
Project details:
Project Size: 20 sq. m
Location: Bawdsey, England
Architect & Photographer: Inclume Architects (see more work here)
Main Contractor: Suffolk Hut Makers
Flick through Inclume Architects’ entire portfolio over on their website.
After more architectural inspo? Head straight to our case studies here.
