Morlanow

The ambition was to transform the derelict stable and store building into a well-crafted structure which is deliberate and reflective of its context. The design prioritises natural light while ensuring privacy, creating a timber-lined cocoon that offers a tranquil haven from the busy residential crossroads on which it sits. The layout comprises four interconnected rooms across three levels. The principal level features a kitchen and dining area, whilst a sunken lounge steps down the hillside and a mezzanine above provides sleeping accommodation. These spaces are serviced by a compact WC wet room, a utility cupboard, and a range of built-in storage solutions. Natural and unprocessed materials were prioritised throughout the project. A timber frame was constructed within the retained stone walls, with new stonework added to the road-facing elevations. Trevillett stone walling features rough-sawn faces and back-bedded mortar to echo the textures of Falmouth’s quaysides and drystone walls. Carnmenellis granite was used for key crafted elements, including a large drill-marked lintel and a hand-carved staddle stone supporting the external larch-clad store and reclaimed Delabole slate is used on the roof. The design demonstrates careful attention to detail, optimising a small space for maximum efficiency whilst celebrating the raw beauty of natural materials, such as exposed ash beams in the lounge and the larch cladding that lines the entrance porch. A painted steel beam adds a counterpoint to this. Though modest in scale, the project represents a thoughtful exploration of a new urban interpretation of Cornish vernacular architecture.