These two cottages in the coastal village of Burnham Overy Staithe suffered terrible flood damage during the December 2013 storms and high tides. Both cottages have been owned by the same family for a number of years and are used as holiday cottages by friends and family.

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As the flood damage was so bad, it was decided to completely rethink the existing arrangement of two separate cottages – both of which had small rooms and very steep staircases. The brief was to create a larger, more spacious single cottage which would be as flood proof as practically possible up to ground floor window cill level. In addition there should be a downstairs bedroom and adjacent bathroom facilities so that less mobile family members could enjoy the cottage too.

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The preferred solution was to locate the main entrance door on the side of one of the cottages which opens into new glazed link ‘hall’ running across the rear of the building. This contemporary addition improves circulation, creates views towards the rear garden and drastically increases the amount of natural light into the centre of the cottage. A new single centrally located staircase off the hallway leads to three first floor bedrooms and a new family bathroom. The existing rear extensions have been remodeled and extended to provide a modern family kitchen with dining and sitting areas looking over the garden.