This striking new-build eco home, featured on the 2015 series of Grand Designs, stands as a thoughtful and contemporary response to its extraordinary setting. Positioned within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the house occupies an isolated plot surrounded by open farmland along the serene banks of the River Rother near Rye. Its design embraces both the drama and sensitivity required of such a landscape.

The accommodation is arranged around a generous open plan living space that forms the heart of the home, creating a strong visual and physical connection to the surrounding marshland. Three well appointed bedrooms and two carefully detailed bathrooms provide comfortable private spaces, while a dedicated boathouse and a series of external terraces extend the living environment outdoors, inviting inhabitants to engage with the natural setting throughout the seasons.

A distinctive feature of the design is the way the building elegantly hovers above the landscape. Supported by a cluster of concrete columns, the home is elevated above the floodplain, ensuring that the natural hydrology of the site can continue uninterrupted. This raised position not only safeguards the property but also enhances the panoramic views across the marsh, giving the impression of floating within the landscape.

Externally, the refined timber cladding and meticulous detailing allow the house to settle organically into its environment. The materials were chosen for their durability and ability to weather harmoniously, enabling the structure to blend with the earthy tones and textures of the surrounding farmland and wetland. Every junction and façade treatment has been approached with care to ensure the building feels timeless rather than imposing.