St Martin’s Vineyard
Isles of Scilly
New Build │ Self Build │ Sustainability
Nestled within a coastal vineyard, this modest timber home was designed for enjoying unrivaled sea views.
When we booked our honeymoon in 2023 the last thing we expected was to come away with a new project. We feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to design a new home for our hosts on the beautiful island of St Martins - one of the idyllic islands of the Isles of Scilly archipelago.
Channelling the ecological approach our clients advocate on their vineyard (which is something of a wildlife haven as well as a thriving business), we put forward plans for a timber-framed, timber-clad home, raised up to tread lightly on the sensitive site. The small scale and use of readily available but low environmental impact materials ensures it will be feasible for our clients to self-build in such a remote location and on a budget.
Once complete, the open-plan layout promises a spacious and light-filled interior despite the relatively small footprint, with beautiful views throughout. Furthermore, the south-facing deck running the length of the building provides an additional ‘outdoor room’, ideal for keeping a watchful eye over the vines and savouring a glass of wine at the end of the day.
A design which is sensitive to the unique opportunities and constraints of the remote island location
A layout tailored to their lifestyle. For example, we designed a large kitchen to indulge their passion for cooking, host dinner parties, and accommodate the stocking up of winter supplies
An open plan layout, maximising natural light and a feeling of generosity despite the compact footprint
A robust but beautifully detailed interior, reflective of the coastal setting
A design strategy appropriate for a largely off-grid site
A design based on Passivhaus principles, maximising efficiency
A thermally efficient design and healthy environment in which to live, facilitated by natural and sustainable building materials
A thorough and practical set of construction drawings, with clearly communicated information appropriate for self-builders
What our clients gained:
“ We were reassured from the first conversation with Ally and Harrison by how well they understood and engaged with our vision and leaned into the challenges our site posed.
They asked all the right questions to tease out our requirements and offered options and outlines that helped us refine what we were actually looking for. Once we had the principles set, they did an incredible job of building out the design to these specifications.
Ally and Harrison were both responsive and engaged at the right moments throughout the process, flexible when things needed revisiting, and never made the inevitable complications feel like problems. The level of detail and care in the final plans was more than we could have hoped for and gave us everything we needed to move straight into the build.
We'd happily recommend Studio Laith to anyone considering working with an architect for the first time — we feel incredibly lucky to have struck gold in choosing to work with them. ”
James & Holly │ Client - St Martin’s Vineyard
