Coastguard Cottages

This project, situated in St Margaret’s Bay has two distinctive building aspects: the new-build apartment block and the alterations, extensions, and refurbishment of Grade II listed cottages. The goal is to blend modern living with historical preservation, ensuring that the new and old structures complement each other while meeting the requirements of their respective architectural and regulatory standards.

The new-build apartment block contains 5 apartments over 3 floors, including the penthouse. Partially excavated into the chalk face, constructed using Delta waterproofing RC retaining walls, steel portal frames, blockwork external cavity walls and ComFlor concrete floors. The external façade is to include white rendered walls, curved glass curtain walling, and timber cladding, along with reusing chalk grassland soil and seed from the site to produce a native green roof system.

The listed cottages from the front have largely remained as they were designed to look back in 1884 when first constructed; however, the rear of the cottages have had striking curved-shaped extensions that incorporate new kitchens and bathrooms for the cottages. The project retained and restored key historical elements, including original stonework, staircases, render facades and lime plastering. Specialist craftsmen from our directly employed staff or subcontractors were used to ensure the authenticity of the restoration. We have completely restored the roofs to the cottages, new timber windows and doors and repaired and redecorated the roughcast render. Inside, the cottages were updated to meet modern standards of living, including the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, rewiring, new plumbing and heating while retaining the charm of the original features.