Dock with several small boats moored in calm water near a cluster of old and modern buildings under a cloudy sky.

Cottles Quay - Amphibious 2.0

Location: Salcombe, East Coast, UK

Scale: 3-bedroom house and an amphibious out-house

Constraints: Flood zones 2-3, conservation area

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Photography Credits: Darren Chung & Tim Crocker

World map in blue with a blue location pin marking the United Kingdom.
Hand-drawn architectural floor plan showing a building layout with rooms, furniture, outdoor green areas with trees, and pathways, including a scale bar and north orientation.
Coastal town with houses and a church by a blue harbor filled with small boats, surrounded by green fields and hills under a clear sky.

Background

In Cottles Quay, Salcombe, rests our second pioneering amphibious house, a quiet evolution of the UK’s journey toward living with water.

Set within a former stone garden store overlooking the estuary, this project reimagines a historic site into a flood-resilient home that embraces both heritage and innovation.

The brief was simple but ambitious: to create a modern coastal dwelling that could withstand the challenges of rising sea levels while enhancing its natural setting.

Architectural sketch of a building complex with multiple structures, green courtyard, and transparent sectional outlines.
White architectural model of a small residential complex with multiple gabled buildings and an inner courtyard.

Process

The design process centred on adaptive reuse and environmental innovation. The existing stone structure, once a garden shop, was retained to preserve its local character and minimise environmental impact.

A new first-floor extension with a contemporary pitched roof was added, seamlessly integrating old and new elements. To address the site’s vulnerability to flooding, the building envelope was strengthened with a waterproof concrete inner lining and fitted with flood-resistant doors and windows.

Simultaneously, the former boat shed was completely reimagined as an amphibious studio, reconstructed within its original footprint and height. Set on a buoyant timber-framed base, the studio is designed to float safely during extreme high tides.

The surrounding courtyard was reprofiled to form a subtle causeway link between the main dwelling and studio, allowing continuous access even as the water level rises.

This thoughtful process embodies sustainable coastal living, preserving heritage while embracing resilience and innovation.

Architectural cross-section drawing of a two-story house with furniture layouts and a water surrounding the foundation.
Architectural cross-section of a two-story house by the water showing interior layouts and structural details.
Architectural section drawing of a building showing two floors, furniture, people, and adjacent water bodies highlighted in blue.
BACA's second Amphibious House, with reflections on calm harbor water under an overcast sky.

Architecture

Inside, the space opens up to reveal a double-height living area filled with reflections from the estuary beyond.

Expansive glazing on both floors invites light to dance across the interior, dissolving the boundary between inside and out.

Every detail, from the floating studio to the flood-proof finishes, reflects our commitment to sustainable architecture in the UK and to designing homes that adapt gracefully to their environment.

The result is a flood-resilient, contemporary home that celebrates the beauty and unpredictability of life by the water.

Modern black garden room with large sliding glass doors and outdoor seating area with wicker chairs, white cushions, and a large umbrella.
Outdoor courtyard with modern wicker seating, beige cushions, stone walls, and a large umbrella.
Modern bedroom with dark walls, a large bed with white linens and a colorful zigzag-patterned blanket, a white bedside table with a lamp and pink flowers, and a window showing an outside brick wall.
Modern indoor dining area with a high table and metal stools beside large glass doors opening to a courtyard with outdoor seating and stone walls.
Cozy modern living room with wooden wall panels, floating staircase, large TV, and a geometric metal coffee table with a green moss sphere on a cowhide rug.
Small balcony with metal grating floor and railing, featuring a striped deck chair and two tall bar stools overlooking a waterfront.
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