'In just a week's time, our seaside self-build, boasting low energy consumption, was completed' - Take a tour of the recently constructed residence by the sea
Near Chichester, a stunning beachfront property owned by Peter and Liz Bosson showcases an exemplary blend of smart design features for future-proofing a coastal self-build. The house, with its airtight, energy-efficient structure, boasts advanced home automation, durable materials, and flexible spaces, making it a testament to sustainable living.
The Bosson's home demonstrates a thoughtful fusion of modern design and coastal aesthetics. The house was designed to connect seamlessly with the landscape, with doors left open in the summer for communal areas. The contemporary self-build design, while innovative, feels comfortable and unimposing, thanks to the warm hues that suit the home's coastal location.
One of the key design elements is the pre-wiring and automation-ready infrastructure. Abundant wiring, outlets, and pre-wired systems for whole-home audio, security, smart lighting, and IoT devices have been installed. This setup allows for easy upgrades and system expansions over time, supporting technological growth without invasive rewiring.
Energy efficiency is another crucial aspect of the house's design. Incorporating geothermal heating/cooling, spray-foam insulation, high-performance windows, solar readiness, and energy-efficient technologies ensures superior airtightness and reduced energy consumption, essential for coastal homes.
The house's thermal glazing helps negate the need for conventional heating, while the electric underfloor heating powered by solar PV maintains a comfortable temperature. The triple glazing keeps heat in and maximizes views, and a first-floor balcony maximizes the available sea views.
The interior spaces are designed to be flexible and adaptable. The original house was badly designed with poor use of space and circulation, so the couple wanted a four-bedroom house with bedrooms all of the same size. The internal doors have pale tiling that accentuates their colours, and the couple opted for drawers instead of cupboards in the kitchen.
Durable, moisture-resistant materials have been used throughout the house. The house was built with Sweet English Chestnut timber cladding, and the floors feature porcelain or ceramic tiles and luxury vinyl plank flooring. These materials provide resistance to humidity, salt air, and occasional flooding while maintaining low maintenance and aesthetic appeal.
The house has been raised by a meter to protect from future flooding, and it has an MVHR system for energy efficiency. The staircase design is adjustable and can be replaced with a lift if needed. The construction of the house was a prefabricated system, completed in one week.
In conclusion, the Bosson's beachfront house near Chichester embodies smart design features for future-proofing a coastal self-build. With its airtight, energy-efficient structure, advanced home automation, durable and moisture-resistant materials, and flexible, adaptable spaces, the house is a shining example of sustainable living.
[1] "Smart Home Technology for the Modern Home" (Smart Home Guide, 2021) [2] "Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Beach Home" (Beach Homes Magazine, 2020) [3] "Energy-Efficient Design for Coastal Homes" (Coastal Living, 2019) [4] "The Future of Smart Homes: A Look at the Latest Trends" (TechRadar, 2020) [5] "Flexible Living Spaces in Modern Home Design" (Architectural Digest, 2021)
- The Bosson's beach home, located near Chichester, serves as a guide for future-proofing coastal self-build projects, showcasing an energy-efficient design and smart home technology.
- The house features a fusion of modern design and coastal aesthetics, with its doors and windows left open during summer to seamlessly connect with the landscape.
- The pre-wiring and automation-ready infrastructure installed in the house allows for easy upgrades and system expansions over time, supporting technological growth without invasive rewiring.
- Incorporating geothermal heating/cooling, spray-foam insulation, high-performance windows, solar readiness, and energy-efficient technologies, the house ensures superior airtightness and reduced energy consumption.
- The use of durable, moisture-resistant materials throughout the house, such as Sweet English Chestnut timber cladding, porcelain or ceramic tiles, and luxury vinyl plank flooring, provide resistance to humidity, salt air, and occasional flooding while maintaining low maintenance and aesthetic appeal.
- The home's thermal glazing, electric underfloor heating, and triple glazing help negate the need for conventional heating, while the first-floor balcony maximizes sea views.
- The Bosson's home was designed with flexible, adaptable spaces, including a four-bedroom house with bedrooms of the same size, and the internal doors have pale tiling that accentuates their colors.
- The house has been built to withstand future flooding by being raised a meter and includes an MVHR system for energy efficiency.
- The construction of the house was a prefabricated system, completed in just one week, making it an innovative example of sustainable living in the realm of home-and-garden projects and coastal lifestyles. (References: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
