The project was the result of the demolition of an old Royal Navy listening station that was at risk of falling into the sea from coastal erosion. Its replacement saw the construction of two new build portable low energy holiday homes, which have panoramic views across the North Sea from the fast eroding cliff top. These buildings can be simply disconnected and craned onto a vehicle, then moved inland to an appropriate location – portable architecture that adapts to coastal change, whilst diversifying farm income.

When designing these holiday homes on the Suffolk coast, Beech Architects were already considering the risk of coastal erosion. The buildings use a galvanized steel frame supporting a timber shell with crane points built in at either end, that allows relocation when necessary as erosion occurs.

The completed structures replaced a derelict building of asbestos and concrete that was a problem for the landowner. A carefully selected palette of materials allows for future reuse: aluminium, timber and
galvanized steel. In addition, the design is plaster free.

Read more about the 2020 sustainable award winner
Related
Architect: Beech Architects
Image: Suffolk Hideaways
Posted on December 22, 2020 by Galvanizers Association
Arup Please Be Seated
Arup collaborated with British designer Paul Cocksedge to transform Finsbury Avenue Square, Broadgate, with the large-scale community installation, Please Be Seated, as part of London Design Festival 2019. Supported by British Land and fabricated by White & White London, Please…
Read more
Carmody Groarke The Hill House Box, Helensburgh
The Hill House is arguably Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s residential masterpiece, one of Scotland’s most acclaimed buildings, Grade A listed, and a seminal part of early 20th century European architecture. A hybridisation of tradition and invention in the construction of the…
Read more
Haston Reynolds Ltd Centre for Dairy Science Innovation
The University of Nottingham’s dairy farm is located next to the Sutton Bonington Campus near Kegworth. It is run as a fully commercial mixed arable and dairy farm and is used by the university to study current agriculture practices and…
Read more
MELOY Architects Hill House Passivhaus, Lewes
The site is located within the South Downs National Park alongside an ancient drove road used by fisherfolk to carry fresh fish from the old fishing village of Brighton to the county town of Lewes. The house was conceived as…
Read more