The existing 1980s coastal house in Burnham Market was a tired and inefficient home that didn’t make the most of its beautiful rural setting. The approach was to gently replace this with a new family house that feels connected to the landscape, improving both the flow of space and the home’s energy performance.

Nestled within the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the site enjoys wide views over farmland and easy access to village life. The original house was a standard, poorly oriented building with limited insulation and a disconnected layout—challenges that shaped the need for a fresh start, one that responds more thoughtfully to place and climate.

Working closely with the clients, the design evolved to respect the existing footprint while creating a light-filled, flexible home. The focus was on maximising views, linking indoor and outdoor spaces, and using local materials to root the house in its coastal context.

The new home is composed of three charming gabled volumes, linked by flat-roofed sections, echoing traditional Norfolk forms and breaking down the building’s scale. This creates a sunny courtyard to the southwest and a sheltered garden to the northeast, where views stretch toward Burnham Norton church. The new garage and art studio feature green sedum roofs, adding ecological value and a soft touch to the garden.

Drawing on local heritage, the design combines flint gables with warm brick walls, powder-coated aluminium windows, and a zinc roof with integrated solar panels. Decorative brickwork with triangular details adds both strength and a subtle reference to local craftsmanship. Carefully placed terraces and generous glazing invite natural light and outdoor connection, while maintaining privacy for neighbours.

This project brings together tradition and modern sustainability to create a home that is comfortable, low-maintenance, and deeply connected to its place. It offers a thoughtful, enduring response to coastal living, honouring the landscape and community around it.