Two-Family House

By Rundell Associates

Client Private

Award RIBA South West and Wessex Award 2025

The award winner tells us, "Two-Family House is a seaside retreat, set into the cliffs above the bay of Mawgan Porth on the Cornish coast. The house was conceived as a gathering place to be shared by two families, along with extended families and friends. The ‘twin’ brief ensured creative solutions were found to satisfy two disparate sets of family requirements.

The building has an understated yet striking profile, sunk deep into its dramatic cliffside setting. Materials were chosen for their visual interest and ability to withstand harsh conditions, whilst internally a natural palette creates a warm and textured atmosphere evocative of the locality."

Extract from the RIBA Awards Jury citation, " Set into the cliffside, it has a palette of naturally raw materials and a planted roof. Externally the mass of the building has successfully been broken down through its articulation. The architects achieved this through a lower storey of grey and brown local Cornish stonework and an upper level predominantly of timber and glass, with a copper cantilevered roof.

Internally the finely executed and orchestrated stone, timber and plaster finishes create subtle transitions between spaces, punctuated with clear thresholds between rooms and the pivotal central hub."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Contractor GYNN Construction

Interior design Millard & Flo

Structural engineer Martin Perry Associates Ltd

Quantity surveyor/cost consultant DGA

Lighting design Millard & Flo

Environmental/M&E engineer Will Potter Partnership Ltd

Gross internal area 721m²