SAND DUNES

Sand Dunes is a contemporary sustainable holiday home in Mawgan Porth, North Cornwall, designed by ARCO2. Positioned above the coastline with sweeping sea views, the project combines low energy design principles with contemporary coastal architecture inspired by the landscape and relaxed pace of Cornish living.

The project began with a simple ambition – to create a family retreat by the sea. After discovering Mawgan Porth and its surf culture, the client purchased a 1970s bungalow positioned on the dunes overlooking the bay, with the intention of replacing it with a modern coastal home more connected to its surroundings.

The brief focused on creating a sustainable family home designed around gathering, cooking, relaxing and outdoor living. Spaces for surfing, yoga, entertaining and guest accommodation were carefully integrated alongside warm natural materials, expansive glazing and contemporary detailing that responds to the character of the North Cornwall coastline.

The architecture balances openness, comfort and durability, creating a contemporary home that celebrates its setting while remaining practical for modern family life by the sea.

We work with clients across the North Cornwall coast as experienced North Cornwall architects, delivering bespoke sustainable homes tailored to each coastal setting and landscape.

Working with the steep dune made construction complex. Getting the structure to sit right on the site took time and precision. Some parts of the design were also new for the team, so we used 3D sketches to help the builders understand what he wanted.

The staircase brought its own challenge. Imagined as a sculptural feature that would bring the space together. After struggling to find anyone local who could make it, the team decided to build it on site. The result was worth the effort, carefully made to suit the proportions of the house.

Because the home sits in a protected coastal area, planning needed careful handling. Every part of the design had to respond to its setting and reflect the quiet character of Mawgan Porth.

The new home is made up of two buildings: a main house, a guest annex and pool house. Each has its own role but comes together as one place for family and friends.  Local materials give the home its character. The main house is built from Cornish stone with reclaimed Delabole slate above. The annex and pool house are clad in dark-stained timber, and a green roof helps the buildings blend into the landscape.  The main living area was designed for connection. A sunken space around the fire brings everyone together, with the kitchen and dining area close by for cooking and eating as a family. Large windows open to the bay, filling the rooms with daylight and sea views.  The pool house was made for time outdoors. It stores surfboards, has a jacuzzi overlooking the water, and a small apartment above for guests to stay comfortably. After surfing, the family can walk up from the beach and step straight into the warm jacuzzi to relax and take in the view.

What was once a dated bungalow has become a family retreat that feels thoughtful and alive.  Every part of the home now reflects how the family spends their time when they come to Cornwall for their holiday break. Cooking together, relaxing after a surf, or sitting by the fire as the day changes over the bay.  Natural textures, soft light, and local craft give the house a sense of ease. It feels personal, with every wall, fixture, and detail carefully chosen and thought about.  It is a home that balances energy and relaxed time. Busy days in the surf, slow evenings by the fire, and space for everyone to feel at home in Cornwall.

Life in Sand Dunes centres around time together. The main living space brings everyone into one place, with the kitchen, dining, and seating areas all connected.  A sunken lounge draws people around the fire, while large windows open the room to the view of the bay.  Bespoke lighting design by Millard & Flo. softens the spaces as the day changes, creating a rhythm between daylight and evening warmth.

Every part of Sand Dunes was built with local skill and care. The client wanted to use Cornish tradespeople and materials wherever possible.  The main house is finished in local stone and reclaimed Delabole slate. The annex and pool house are clad in dark-stained Douglas fir, giving each building its own character while keeping a sense of harmony across the site.

Sustainability shaped the design from the start. The buildings use natural and reclaimed materials that will age well over time.  A green roof supports local biodiversity and helps the home blend into its surroundings. Reclaimed slate, local stone, and timber give the house a strong connection to place and a smaller environmental footprint.

• 2016 RIBA South West Awards – Winner
• 2016 Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & renovating Award – Winner Best Contemporary Home
• 2016 Sunday Times British Homes Awards – Winner, Interior Design

External award sources

• 2016 RIBA South West Awards: winners coverage

Architects Working Across North Cornwall

ARCO2 designs contemporary sustainable homes across Polzeath, Rock, Padstow, Daymer Bay, Constantine Bay, Trevone Bay, St Merryn and the wider North Cornwall coastline. North Cornwall Architects.

Architects Working Across Cornwall