Malindi, Eastcliff, Cornwall

Shortlisted for the prestigious Manser Medal in 2012, Malindi is an exceptional home elevated high above the north coast of Cornwall. Its architect, Simon Conder, prioritised energy efficiency and the use of natural materials inside and out in its design, creating a space with a strong tethering to the surrounding landscape. Sublime views extend across the bay to Godrevy lighthouse and St Ives from both a private outdoor terrace and a first-floor balcony. Despite its remote feel, nearby Redruth rail station runs services to Exeter and London Paddington, and there is easy access to the A30.



The Architect



Simon Conder formed his practice in 1984. Sustainability and energy efficiency are at the core of his projects, as well as a commitment to respond to the unique requirements of each client and build.



To date, Simon has won 40 architecture and design awards, including twice winning the RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize, and being shortlisted three times for the RIBA Manser Medal (now called RIBA House of the Year) for the best new house in the UK and the EU, including a shortlisting for Malindi. The house also won the 2013 Cornish Buildings Group Award for excellence in architectural design, conservation and restoration in the county, and the 2012 RIBA Regional Award.



Environmental Performance



The house relies on passive solar gain as its primary source of heating, reflected in the use of highly insulated masonry walls, concrete floors and roof, which all absorb the heat from the sun. The exterior walls and roof are clad with an FSC-certified hardwood, Iroko, left to weather naturally to a refined silvery grey.



The south-west elevations, facing the views, are fully glazed to capture the solar gain during the winter, while the full-width balconies and brise soleil prevent overheating in the summer. There is also a solar water heating system that uses the energy from the panels on the roof.



The Tour



The exterior of Malindi is formed of a striking combination of hardwood-cladding walls, geometric lines and full-height glazed panels. Stone steps hewn into the hillside carve out the approach to the house.



Entry is to a bright entrance hall on the upper ground floor, leading to spectacular upper walkways on this floor. A birch ply staircase descends to the ground floor, where the main living spaces lie.



Vast bifold doors run the length of this expansive open-plan living space, capturing views of the bay and opening fully to the terrace beyond. A sitting area is arranged in a double-height space at the front of the plan, the exposed pipework of a tall log burner drawing the eye upwards to the first-floor gallery. Polished concrete flooring runs underfoot here and throughout the house, designed to absorb, store and release heat slowly and efficiently. This is supplemented with underfloor heating in the winter months.



An extensive kitchen is at the rear of the space, left open to the remainder of the room to create a sense of cohesion. The crisp architectural lines adopted throughout Malindi are especially evident here; crisp white cabinetry, stainless steel worktops and exposed timber shelving produce a space that is at once well-equipped and subtly striking. The multiple appliances all lie beneath work surface level which, alongside the very large island area, emphasises the themes of light and space.



The ground floor is also home to a snug, where built-in wooden shelving provides space for books, games and screen-based entertainment. A shelf-lined study with full-length glass doors captures views of the hills and the sea. There is also a downstairs WC and significant understairs storage.



The first-floor rooms are arranged around a central courtyard – a layout cleverly designed to provide shelter from the prevailing winds and draw in plenty of natural light. Timber decking has been added in the courtyard, where tropical plants grow from galvanised steel planters. A glass-floored gallery looks down onto the sitting area below, and a glazed wall opposite provides elevated views of the landscape.



Two bright bedrooms are found on this floor, both with bifold doors that open to a full-width balcony with spectacular views of the beach. Above the balcony, the brise soleil system with timber slats is angled to reduce overheating in the bedrooms by breaking up the sun’s rays.



The principal bedroom extends into a spacious dressing room, with fitted floor-to-ceiling storage. There is also a large bathroom with a bathtub and a separate shower on this floor, as well as a utility room with a sink, additional storage and access to the outdoors.



Outdoor Space



To the front of the house is a spacious south-west-facing outdoor terrace, which catches the sun from mid-morning to evening and provides mesmerising views across the bay.



Additional terraces provide a well-established seaside garden filled with a variety of Phormiums, an array of grasses and different Olearia with seasonal colour, from Libertia, Kniphofia, Agapanthus, Canna lilies and Crocosmia to the perennial ox-eye daisy. A large Euonymus japonicus hedge, planted nearly 100 years ago, shelters this terraced domain from the prevailing winds and provides considerable privacy. Private steps provide access, though a gate, to the South West Coastal Path and directly down to Porthtowan beach.



The Area



Porthtowan is a tranquil village on Cornwall’s rugged north coast. The house sits just a 10-minute walk from Porthtowan’s sandy Blue Flag beach, with a good-quality beach break for the surfers and a landscape of ancient caves and rock pools for the beachcombers. Despite its sense of remoteness, Porthtowan has its own village hall, store, post office, pub, bar and café.



Porthtowan sits within one of the ten UNESCO World Heritage sites found in Cornwall. The St Agnes Mining District is also a designated Natural Landscape (AON). The house is perfectly located for exploring this historic area, with the South West Coast Path guiding the way northwards to Chapel Porth and Wheal Coates, or southwards to Portreath, Hayle and St Ives.



Nearby St Agnes is a thriving village and community which supports lots of independent shops and businesses. Cornwall’s county town is the cathedral city of Truro and is home to the National Theatre of Cornwall at the Hall for Cornwall, alongside the Royal Cornwall Museum, County Hall and Cornwall’s Courts of Justice. Further south is the university town of Falmouth, which hosts the Cornwall Film Festival.



To the west is St Ives and its vibrant community of art and artists. Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth's former house and studio are among the town's wonderful offerings; we've written about the others in our residents' guide. Beyond is Penzance and its neighbouring towns, with the Newlyn, Penlee and Exchange art galleries, as well as the Jubilee Pool, an art deco saltwater lido.



There are several schooling options in the area, including Mount Hawke Academy, Truro School, Truro College and Richard Lander School.



Nearby Redruth rail station offers direct services to London Paddington in four and a half hours. Newquay airport is around 30 minutes' drive from the house, and the A30 dual carriageway, five miles away and just west of Truro, gives fast access to the M5 motorway at Exeter.



Council Tax Band: E