Two-Family House by Rundell Associates

Perched on a rugged cliffside above the Atlantic Ocean, Two-Family House is a seaside retreat designed for togetherness, resilience, and reverence for place. Conceived as a shared sanctuary for two families, this coastal residence sits quietly within its wild North Cornwall setting, uniting architectural boldness with environmental sensitivity.

Designed to accommodate extended families, friends, and multigenerational gatherings, the home responds to a rare twin brief: balancing the desires of two households while establishing a single, cohesive architectural identity. The result is a no-compromise family home that captures expansive ocean views, promotes shared experience, and respects the elemental forces of the sea and sky.

Embedded in the Landscape

From a distance, the house appears almost camouflaged within the cliffside. The ground floor—described as a plinth of local stone—anchors the building to its site, a former quarry. This stone base visually and materially connects the home to its geological origins, while offering strength and durability in the face of harsh coastal weather.

Above, a copper-clad first floor projects outward, providing shelter and solar shading. The untreated copper is left to weather naturally, acquiring a rich patina over time that reflects the building’s responsive relationship with its marine environment. This layered expression—stone and copper, earth and sea—is a meditation on time, erosion, and permanence.

Oriented to the Ocean

The internal organization of the house revolves around panoramic Atlantic vistas, with shared living spaces carefully arranged along the coastal edge. The ground floor flows effortlessly from living room to kitchen to dining space, encouraging social interaction while maintaining a strong visual connection to the water. A kids’ playroom, vitality pool, and purpose-built surf changing and drying zone extend the program, reinforcing the family’s active, ocean-focused lifestyle.

A dramatic curved timber staircase, located at the juncture between the home’s two main wings, becomes both sculptural centerpiece and spatial connector. Beneath a circular roof lantern, it draws daylight deep into the plan while enabling natural cross-ventilation in warmer months. This central void becomes a breathing heart for the home.

A Textured and Warm Interior

Inside, a natural material palette reinforces the project’s connection to its setting. Timber, locally sourced stone, and Cornish clay plaster lend a tactile, earthy feel to the interiors. These materials are not just beautiful—they are chosen for durability and comfort, creating spaces that are refined yet relaxed, elegant but entirely suited to the rhythms of family life.

Subtle, thoughtful detailing throughout the home enhances this atmosphere: timber-lined ceilings, soft transitions between inside and out, and handcrafted finishes lend an understated richness to everyday moments. The architecture invites lingering, conversation, and connection—with each other and with the horizon beyond.

Honoring the Existing Landscape

Long before the house was conceived, the site was shaped by its previous owner, who spent years cultivating a tiered garden that winds toward the beach. With hand-laid retaining walls, meandering stone paths, and native plantings, this landscape held memory and meaning. During construction, great care was taken to preserve and protect this network, ensuring that the new building would add gently to the site’s layered history, rather than overwrite it.

The architecture echoes these lines—stepping back into the slope, respecting the biodiversity of the cliffside, and enhancing the garden’s role as a transitional space between the built and natural world.

A Deep Commitment to Sustainability

At its core, Two-Family House is not just a place to live, but a statement of values. Its structure is formed from pre-fabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT)—a low-carbon alternative to conventional steel or concrete. The walls are heavily insulated, while a high-efficiency heat recovery ventilation system works in tandem with a ground source heat pump and roof-mounted solar panels to dramatically reduce the building’s operational energy.

Material choices—such as locally sourced stone and copper cladding—are environmentally responsible, minimizing embodied carbon and maximizing longevity. This integrated approach results in exceptional energy performance without aesthetic compromise.

Architecture for Shared Joy

Above all, Two-Family House is a home crafted for joy, gathering, and memory-making. Every corner—whether it opens to the Atlantic horizon or tucks into a garden terrace—is designed to foster connection between families, generations, and the wider landscape.

Through material honesty, meticulous craftsmanship, and a sensitive engagement with site, the house becomes more than a structure—it is a lasting retreat that celebrates nature, family, and the rhythms of coastal life.

Photography: Tristan Stocker