If you have walked across the causeway at St Helens in recent years, you would have seen the construction of Saltmarsh House, situated on the grounds of The Castle in St Helens.
Designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects, this stunning example of modern architectural design received the South RIBA Regional Award earlier this year, and has now been shortlisted for the national award, the 2023 RIBA House of the Year Award.
Owned by Kate and Jason Gatenby, the structure — with uninterrupted views across Bembridge Harbour — has echoes of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s incredible US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob.
The main dining area looks out across the causeway, but snuck away behind it are a kitchen, bathroom and double bedroom. It really does look rather stunning and with Passivhaus standards of environmental performance, it must be wonderful to be within at all times of the year.
The blurb for the shortlisting reads:
Conceived as a delicate steel-frame pavilion, it takes reference from the repeating pitched-roofed glasshouses that once graced the kitchen gardens of the Grade II-listed Victorian house, in the grounds of which the project sits.
From an architectural perspective, Saltmarsh House is a tour de force of clean lines and contemporary design. The building features a pyramidal copper roof, with a crisp minimalist eavesdrop edge, which seems to hover above an intricate glass pavilion. Large windows provide glorious views of the surrounding landscape while the use of glass and steel creates a sense of lightness and transparency, allowing the house to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.
It goes on to say,
The whole structure appears to float, with a large terrace and a series of stepped platforms that provide additional outdoor living spaces, further enhancing the connection between the building and its setting.
The precision, attention to detail, and craftsmanship continue inside with an interior that is equally impressive. The house features a spacious, open-plan living space that is flooded with natural light and offers an uninterrupted view across the marsh. The use of neutral colours and natural wood creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Three cantilevered copper-clad pods accommodate essential facilities for eating, sleeping and washing, each meticulously planned and expertly crafted.
The design and execution of Saltmarsh House is faultless, a testament to the power of good architecture and the role that it can play in creating inspiring and sustainable structures.
The building replaced a former bungalow on the same spot known as ‘Olivers’.
The winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2023 will be announced on 30th November 2023.
Article edit
11.20am 27th Oct 2023 – Sentence about ‘Olivers’ added
Source: County Press
