Kano House, Cornwall

Kano House is a new home in Falmouth shaped directly by its sloping site, its relationship with the sea and the way the house is approached. From the rear lane, the building is peeled back to form a sheltered route towards the main entrance, making arrival part of the architecture rather than simply a doorway in a facade.

The material palette draws on the character of Cornwall, combining stone, slate and render with large, carefully positioned openings. These more solid materials anchor the house into the landscape, while glazing is used to frame views towards the sea and bring daylight into the deeper parts of the plan. The changing levels of the site are treated as an opportunity, allowing different parts of the house to establish their own relationship with the landscape and coastal outlook. The project has planning approval and is now under construction.