Westcliff, Porthtowan: A Context Led Coastal Home
A Project By: Laurence Associates
Set in an elevated position on Westcliff overlooking Porthtowan Beach, the project occupies an exceptional coastal site with expansive views across the beach and Atlantic beyond. Laurence Associates was appointed to create a contemporary home that responded sensitively to its prominent setting within the built environment, whilst making the most of the site’s exceptional outlook and challenging multi-level landscape.
The project involved the replacement of an existing single storey dwelling, together with its detached ancillary outbuilding and annex, with a new two storey contemporary home. Following the successful grant of planning permission in April 2023, the original property was carefully replaced with a flat roofed dwelling that occupies broadly the same footprint, albeit marginally smaller. The design was developed to maximise views towards the coast while creating strong connections between the internal spaces, gardens and wider landscape.
At ground floor, an open plan kitchen, living and dining space forms the heart of the home, opening directly onto a timber terrace and external entertaining area. A feature stair sits centrally within the main living space, with a generous rooflight above introducing natural light deep into the plan. Supporting spaces include a shower room, WC, boot room and utility room, providing a practical and considered arrangement for everyday living.
The first floor provides a series of private spaces, including a master bedroom with adjoining dressing room, study and ensuite bathroom, alongside two further bedrooms, one with its own ensuite, and a separate family bathroom. An external bridge connection provides access to the raised garden and rear pathway, strengthening the relationship between the house and its wider site.
Materiality was central to the architectural approach, with the client closely involved throughout the design and detailing process. The external palette combines high level vertical timber cladding with low level natural stone, creating a contemporary interpretation of the local landscape that speaks to the wider built environment of the Cornish coast. The use of stone draws inspiration from Cornwall’s historic engine houses and mine workings, whilst copper cladding references the area’s rich mining heritage.
Brown/Black aluminium window frames provide a refined contrast to the natural materials, complementing the contemporary form while allowing the surrounding landscape and coastal views to remain the focus. The carefully considered palette helps anchor the building within its setting while giving the home a distinctive architectural character.
Sustainability was also integrated into the design from the outset. The roof incorporates sedum planting alongside solar panels, while a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system provides warm, filtered fresh air throughout the home. These measures contribute to the building’s energy performance while integrating sustainable technologies into the overall architectural design.
Completed in 2025, Westcliff demonstrates how a challenging and highly prominent coastal site within the built environment can be transformed through a carefully considered combination of architecture, materiality and landscape. The finished home provides a contemporary response to its setting while drawing on the character, materials and heritage of the surrounding Cornish landscape.
Laurence Associates led the project through RIBA Stages 1–6, providing architectural expertise from initial design and planning through to completion. The project reflects the practice’s commitment to context led design within the built environment, creating considered architecture that responds to both the opportunities and constraints of its setting.
For further information about Laurence Associates and their services, visit laurenceassociates.co.uk or contact Truro +44 (0) 1872 225 259 or Exeter +44 (0) 1392 979 135.
