The vision was clear: a vibrant coastal town, a retirement home that would someday welcome grandchildren, and a space unlike the rural homes of their past.
Turning their dream into reality would become a journey full of firsts - from navigating planning setbacks to choosing materials that would weather in the salt air.
Shaped by the Sea
These owners are beach people at heart - drawn to the sea and the kind of lifestyle where walking replaces driving. After years of searching, one Friday evening changed everything.
The timing felt right. It was November - quiet season - and within days, they were standing on the plot, looking out across the water.
“We wanted this to be completely different from everything we’ve had before”- a home with a real buzz about it. The village feels alive all year round, not just in the summer months.
From Footpath to Foundation
Just days after retiring, they hiked the 288-mile Cornish coastal path, gathering inspiration from the clifftop homes along the way. Their visual notes wove themselves into the final design and became part of the home in which they now live.
When they first met architect, Steve Heaver of Harrison Sutton Partnership, he sketched an L-shaped design on a scrap of yellow paper. The L-shaped footprint stayed true, and the concept lifted skyward.
When it came time to choose a builder, Steve recommended Harbour Construction.
“We met Ben [from Harbour Construction], and that was it. We didn’t meet anyone else.”
New to building from scratch, they admitted feeling “a bit out of our depth.” But with Steve (The Architect) and Ben (from Harbour Construction), they felt supported from day one.
“They were very patient with us. They held our hands the whole way through.”
A Journey of Firsts
They’d never taken on a project like this before. Buying houses, sure - but never knocking one down and starting again. What followed was a series of leaps: demolishing the existing structure, reimagining the design with Steve, and trusting Harbour Construction to bring it to life.
“Ben has always been really easy to deal with and talk to. We got on very well.”
One of the most important decisions came when Ben strongly advised structural piling to prevent the garden from collapsing into the sea. “Our neighbour’s wall collapsed recently. Two have, actually. That piling was “unquestionably the right decision”. It’s this kind of foresight that defines a construction project.
Futureproofing was vital too. Another “great example of the triangular relationship between Ben, Steve and us is putting the lift in. We would never have thought of it, but the winding staircase around it works beautifully.”
It was more than technical skill - “not just the expertise in building houses but the little bits around the side.”
“We had great faith in knowing that everything they suggested was going to work well.”
Despite the Bat
Despite COVID and a resident bat halting demolition, the build moved forward. With guidance from Nature England on bat hibernation, half the old house stood while construction carried on without delay – a bizarre but oddly charming construction phase.
Monthly site meetings with Harbour Construction kept them involved. They’d say, ‘Here are your decisions for next month,’ offering structure without overwhelm. When decisions became technical -like flooring and first-fix electrics -the team’s calm guidance made all the difference.
Each month brought a new stage, and with it, new excitement. They confess that it was difficult to visualise from drawings, so it was thrilling to finally see the home take shape.
Clad in weathered timber and local stone, this multi-level home perfectly reflects its coastal surroundings. With views that ebb with the tide and glass to maximise the light, the finished home is everything they hoped for. Its curved stone walls add a sculptural structure, softening the geometry and creating a sense of enclosure and privacy.
Their children, home during COVID, became part of the process too. They’d gather in the evenings, discussing layouts, reviewing choices. “Some of the ideas in here are the kids’, as well as ours.”
Curves and Character
Certain features that once felt risky have become the most celebrated elements. The “absolutely unbelievable” curved stone wall, originally feared to be a bit overbearing, now draws admiration - even Instagram posts from strangers. “It’s an astonishing feature.”
Harbour Construction’s flexibility allowed for last-minute tweaks, like lowering a wall mid-build to shine a spotlight on one of the many incredible views. Delight hides in unexpected places - little windows offer playful glimpses of the sea.
“It’s a lovely space. We adore it.”
The attention to detail extended beyond the walls. Harbour Construction cleaned the road outside and scheduled work around school holidays and traffic patterns. “Everyone who worked on the house was so lovely with the neighbours. Really considerate. Having local knowledge is vitally important.”
Looking Back
Looking back, the couple describe the build with three simple words: fun, exciting and fulfilling.
They stayed involved, listened closely, and trusted Harbour Construction’s advice.
Their advice for anyone considering a similar project?
- Stay involved - visit often and engage in the process.
- Trust your construction team and their recommendations.
Now, as neighbours and passersby pause to compliment the home, even those who once objected, they smile. "The nicest thing is when someone says, 'I was wrong. What you’ve created is amazing.”
The house truly fits in.
“It’s a combination of a great design by Steve and great execution by Harbour Construction.”
“It’s beautifully built”, but it’s not just the look. It’s the feel. Open, bright, social, and loved by all who visit. It welcomes visitors with ease. “The feel of it,” they say with pride, “it's what we’re most proud of.”
This home is more than stone and slate - it captures not just what retirement can look like, but what it can feel like when done right.
