The brief was to build two high-end houses on a plot slightly set off from the coastline.

Our aim in this developer-led project was to provide each house with sea views as well as privacy, to maximise their individual appeal and hence for both to have a comparative market value. The solution was to design them as two-level homes in a step ladder arrangement. In this way both have sea views on both levels, whilst avoiding any visual intrusion on each other.

Standing parallel to the coast and with a longitudinal emphasis, the ground floor has an outside space cut at the back to provide natural light to the mountain side rooms, emphasising the indoor-outdoor connection for both aspects.

In terms of their internal layout, there is a “palatial” feel to both properties, with a dramatic 6m tall entrance in one, and spacious double-height living area with galleria-type internal balconies in the upper level of both houses.

The main construction material for floors and internal walls has been the Lipica natural stone – a traditional and locally sourced material that further enhances the idea of connection to place.