Paul Cashin Architects
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Island Cottage | Private House

Paul Cashin Architects 'PCA' is a creative architectural practice based in Winchester, Hampshire. PCA takes a design-led approach to the practice of contemporary architecture, believing that well thought and considered design is essential to the creation of successful architectural space.

The practice undertakes contemporary architectural design projects across residential, commercial and civic sectors of the construction industry. Currently having a number of live projects across Winchester, Hampshire and the South Coast including one-off new build houses, extensions and commercial business projects.

As a small practice, our strength lies in our inclusive and personal approach, working directly with clients, consultants, and contractors, encouraging the cross over between architecture and other areas of art and design.

We are in a consistent state of process, working through a range of media including physical and computer models, hand and computer drawings, sketching and conceptual diagrams, discussions and presentations.

Paul Cashin Architects was founded in 2012 by Paul Cashin. Paul studied Architecture at the Universities of Portsmouth and Vienna, graduating in 2011 with an RIBA Presidents Medal nomination. He has worked for numerous practices, including Design Engine Architects working on contemporary university, school, housing and one-off house projects between 2008 and 2012. Paul has also taught at the University of Portsmouth and was a member of the Project Office for the school. Paul started PCA in 2012 which has set up offices in Winchester in 2016.

 
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Island Cottage | Sidlesham Quay, West Sussex

Countryside Extension and Renovation

Status: Completed 2019

Client: Private  

Type: Residential

Photography: Richard Chivers  

 

Island Cottage is an existing dwelling constructed in 1830, in a conservation area at the southern limit of Sidlesham Quay village, West Sussex. The property was highlighted by the local authority as a key example of rural vernacular character for homes in the area, but is also sited in a major flood risk area. Such a precarious context therefore demanded a considered approach, however the original building had been extended over many years mostly with insensitive and cumbersome extensions and additions.

Our clients purchased Island Cottage in 2015. They had a strong sense of belonging to the area, as both had childhood memories of visiting Pagham Harbour and were greatly drawn to live on the South Coast after many years working and living in London. We were keen to help them discover and create a home in which to dwell for many years to come. Our brief was to restore the cottage and reconcile it’s history of unsuitable extensions to the landscape of the nature reserve of Sidlesham and the bay of Pagham beyond. The original house could not be experienced amongst the labyrinthine rooms and corridors and it’s identity was lost to recent additions and refurbishments. Our 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 from north to south straight towards the rear garden on both floors.

By reinstating the library and guest bedroom/bathroom spaces above we were able to distinguish the original cottage from the later additions. We were then challenged by the new owners to provide a calm and protective series of spaces that make links to the landscape of the coast. Internally the cottage takes the natural materials of the surrounding coastline, such as flint and timber, and uses these to dress walls and floors. Our proposals included making sense of the downstairs spaces by allowing a flowing movement between the rooms. Views through and across the house are opened up so to help navigate the maze like spaces. Each room is open on many sides whilst limiting the number of corridor spaces, and the use of split levels help to mark one space to the next.

The first floor hosts three bedrooms, each of unique style and outlook. The main living space features a corner window, referencing an open book set into the wall at the height of a desk. Log burners, sliding doors, and uncovered historic materials are part of the main reception rooms. The roof is accessible with a steep stair and allows for informal gathering on a grass terrace which gains views far beyond the immediate gardens and neighbouring nature reserve. The external facades have been uplifted with larch cladding, new timber windows, and a series of timber loggias set into the gardens. Our landscaping strategy alleviates flood risk by providing a bung to the garden edge, whilst encouraging native species planting to take over the new timber structure that is directly connected to the house. This approach will help to plant the house in its surroundings, which is vital given the local connection to the Sidlesham Nature Reserve.

Throughout the project the client sourced much of the interior finishes and fixtures directly from salvage yards and online second hand boutiques. The house is decorated with reclaimed materials referencing the worn and weary effect of time spent on the beach or at the sea side.

Now complete, the house genuinely feels reconciled to its place, a haven for our clients, and an exemplary project for our future clients who wish to link their childhoods with their future homes.

For more examples of our contemporary architecture designs please view our selected projects here, or if you would like to discuss a project please view our contact page here.