"A week was all it took for the completion of our seaside self-built, energy-efficient residence. Come take a peek!"
In the picturesque coastal town near Chichester, a new energy-efficient holiday home has taken shape. The project, spearheaded by Peter and Liz Bosson, aims to create a self-sufficient, airtight, and ultra-low-energy retreat, designed to withstand the coastal climate and provide a comfortable haven for years to come.
The Bosson's decision to build anew was driven by the desire for a more efficient and sustainable living space. Their previous beachfront property, while charming, lacked the design, circulation, and space utilization they sought. The new house, completed before the pandemic, now serves as their full-time residence, providing ample room for the couple and their guests.
The house, designed by architect Caroline King and Hatch + Mason, boasts four bedrooms of equal size, capable of accommodating up to ten people. The ground floor living space leads out to the terrace and garden, while a first-floor balcony maximizes sea views. A spacious kitchen, featuring reclaimed timber, concrete worktop, and drawers instead of cupboards, caters to multiple cooks and gatherers at once.
Emphasizing smart home design and future-proofing, the Bosson's self-build route involved selecting building systems and materials tailored for coastal climates. High-performance, coastal-rated building materials were chosen to withstand salt air, humidity, and storm conditions. These include triple-glazed windows with Low-E coatings and impact-rated storm resistance, moisture- and corrosion-resistant materials, and insulation systems suited for humid environments.
The house is powered by solar PV and features electric underfloor heating, while an MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system ensures energy efficiency. The frames of the triple-glazed windows, although the least efficient part, are now a testament to the Bosson's commitment to energy efficiency.
The use of timber cladding, sourced from the South Downs, has received mixed responses. Some question its suitability for coastal environments, but the Bosson's chose Sweet English Chestnut, a durable and rot-resistant timber, to combat the harsh coastal conditions.
The house, raised by a meter to protect from future flooding, sits on a plot whose proximity to the beach has always been its biggest selling point. The Bosson's worked closely with local builders and experts familiar with coastal conditions to customize the design and material selections that maximize durability, comfort, and energy efficiency for their specific coastal microclimate.
A picture rail runs throughout the house, allowing for flexible placement of artwork, and the modular staircase design can be replaced with a lift, if needed, ensuring the house remains accessible for all.
In summary, the Bosson's self-build journey exemplifies the ideal approach to creating an airtight, energy-efficient coastal house. By using airtight, moisture-resistant construction methods, high-performance coastal-rated windows and doors, and integrating solar and smart home systems from the outset, the Bosson's have created a future-ready retreat that stands the test of time.
- The Bosson's renovation project includes plans to install solar PV and electric underfloor heating, prioritizing energy efficiency.
- The kitchen in the new home features reclaimed timber, concrete worktops, and drawers, designed for multiple cooks and gatherers.
- The Bosson's chose high-performance, coastal-rated building materials for their project to withstand harsh coastal conditions.
- To combat the coastal climate, the floor of the new home is raised by a meter to protect it from future flooding.
- The triple-glazed windows in the home, although less efficient, are a testament to the Bosson's commitment to energy efficiency.
- The use of timber cladding from the South Downs, specifically Sweet English Chestnut, is utilized in the home to combat the harsh coastal conditions.
- The Bosson's home-and-garden project, designed by architect Caroline King, boasts four equal-sized bedrooms capable of accommodating up to ten people.
- The Bosson's new coastal home is designed for adaptability, with a picture rail for flexible artwork placement and a modular staircase that can be replaced with a lift if necessary.
- The Bosson's self-build journey serves as a guide for creating sustainable living spaces, emphasizing airtight construction, energy-efficient design, and durable materials.
