Location: Salcombe, East Coast, UK
Scale: 3-bedroom house and an amphibious out-house
Constraints: Flood zones 2-3, conservation area
Photography Credits: Darren Chung & Tim Crocker
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.
The design carefully preserves the character of the original stone structure while introducing a contemporary upper floor crowned with a pitched roof. The building’s envelope has been strengthened with waterproof concrete, flood-resistant glazing, and precision-sealed doors to protect against extreme tidal surges. Beside it, a small boat shed has been reborn as an amphibious studio, built on a buoyant timber base that allows it to rise with the tide. A reprofiled courtyard connects both structures, forming a functional and elegant causeway between land and water.
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.
