Stormy Castle
Location
Gower, South Wales
Service
Structural Engineering
Sector
Domestic Alterations & New Builds
Client
Private
Blending Modern Design with Timeless Landscapes
The project received strong support from the Local Planning Authority, earning Planning Permission in December 2010. In December 2009, the Design Commission for Wales praised the scheme, stating: “This scheme has the potential to be an exemplar of high-quality, innovative design in a protected landscape.”
Located within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and adjacent to National Trust land, the design was meticulously crafted to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. The dwelling follows the natural contours of the sloping site, with much of the structure cut into the landscape as a concrete earth shelter.
The site layout includes a series of thoughtfully designed external spaces and courtyards, such as the sunken ‘Secret Courtyard,’ accessible exclusively from the client’s Study and Master Bedroom. Existing structures, including a Barn and Old School House, are carefully integrated into the new dwelling. Special attention was given to the junctions between new and old elements, ensuring a harmonious blend that respects the site’s history while embracing modern design.
