When Alison Dudgeon and her husband purchased the 1918 bungalow in the
heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, they wanted to
refurbish the building. However, the local planning department required them to
maintain its original look and feel.
The architects at AR Design Studio designed two semi-detached properties,
forming a clever Y-shaped building. The design is an example of fabric-first
sustainability, prioritizing energy efficiency through high-performance materials
and thoughtful construction techniques to reduce environmental impact
Following this approach, natural slate was chosen for the roof and the cladding
of the upper storey, which culminates in two main spaces featuring striking
gabled glass elevations overlooking the sea.
AR Design Studio specified CUPACLAD 101 Random as the ideal solution,
offering both outstanding performance against coastal conditions and striking
aesthetics. The playful arrangement of three slate sizes adds a dynamic touch
to the design. Anna Rezin, architectural designer, recalls:
“This was our first experience of using CUPACLAD and the natural slate played
an important role in helping to maintain the aesthetic and rhythm of the
surrounding environment”
She admits that this product is here to stay:
“We have since gone on to specify CUPACLAD on several other designs too. We would highly recommend the slate cladding, as its external finish is sleek and all the fixings are concealed.”
The modern design of the building incorporates several complex details thatposed challenges for the natural slate installation team, such as the junction
between the roof and the cladded wall, hidden gutters, and a low-pitched
design. Joe Mew, of Mew Developments, explains:
“Although there were challenging aspects of the design and I had never worked with CUPACLAD before, I found the slate worked well with the design and left a nice finish.”
The result speaks for itself, with the stunning design and craftsmanship clearly
visible in the images. The combination of modern architecture and natural slate
has created a striking, timeless look. As Alison, the homeowner, puts it:
“We love the finish and would highly recommend CUPA PIZARRAS natural
slate to others”
