On the west coast of Jersey, London-based architects Fieldwork Architects have transformed a dilapidated bungalow with a dormer window into a three-bedroom house shaped by its open location. The location, known as “Wishing Well”, is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty where the sandy expanse of St Ouen's Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and the land rises to the rolling hills of Jersey's National Park. 

The house deviates from the conventional architectural style of the island and has a contemporary and elementary appearance thanks to the use of rammed earth and locally sourced granite. These materials, sourced from the surrounding landscape, were chosen for their resilience in the island's coastal climate.

Working with the existing structure

Within the framework of Jersey's building regulations, Fieldwork collaborated with Singh Studio on a design characterised by honest use of materials and a context-driven design adapted to the specific conditions of the island's west coast. Due to building regulations, the architects had to retain part of the existing bungalow and submit the proposal as an extension rather than a new build. Part of the original wall remained in place during construction.

This condition became the starting point for the design. The new house follows the contours of the former building, with a rectangular footprint formed by a stabilised, two-storey-high wall of rammed earth that encloses the remains of the original structure. The textured surface of the rammed earth references the geology of the island, while the thermal mass of the material helps to regulate the internal temperature, contributing to cooling in summer and insulation during Jersey's damp winters.

Early collaboration with structural engineers and civil engineers from Elliott Wood helped determine the structural approach. By retaining elements of the existing building, original components could serve as load-bearing supports, reducing the amount of new material required.

Material strategy and construction

On the ground floor, a layer of locally sourced Jersey granite encases the core of compacted earth, forming a robust outer wall that protects the interior from the exposed coastal conditions. Traditional granite masonry is combined with modern hollow drainage systems to improve durability in the maritime climate.

The granite, known for its natural pink hue, was ground into fine dust and incorporated into a stabilised rammed earth aggregate developed specifically for the project by Fieldwork. The walls were largely formed by hand in layered formwork, creating the characteristic layered surface that reveals the construction process.

Fieldwork worked closely with Earth Structures, a specialist in stabilised rammed earth, and Elliott Wood to develop the material. The process involved a series of tests, starting with small test cubes and gradually scaling up to full-size mock-ups to refine the mix in terms of strength, durability and appearance. A small percentage of cement stabiliser was added to support long-term performance in the exposed coastal environment. This process resulted in the house being the first project on Jersey to use stabilised rammed earth construction.

Interior layout

In the centre of the house, part of the rammed earth core remains visible, revealing the layered construction of the wall and showcasing the handmade quality of the material.

The internal layout is inverted, with bedrooms on the sheltered ground floor and the more open living spaces above. The master bedroom overlooks the sea and is enclosed by solid walls and the protective colonnade. Arched openings soften the geometry of the spaces and give the robust material palette a calmer and more intimate character. In the dressing room, a vaulted ceiling enhances the sculptural quality of the interior, as if carved out of the surrounding mass.

The entrance to the house is on the ground floor. In addition to the bedrooms, a utility room, also known as the “boardroom”, offers a space to rinse off after swimming or surfing, with a shower, storage space for surfboards and direct access to the outdoor area.

Circulation and living spaces

A central staircase forms the backbone of the house and determines movement through the interior. The staircase ascends to the exposed clay wall and connects the bedrooms on the ground floor with the living spaces above. Openings in the façade create a framed view of the surrounding landscape along the route.

Upstairs, the atmosphere is enhanced by a large skylight. The first floor contains an open-plan kitchen and living room with a separate dining room. The dining room is housed in a wooden pavilion that was added later in the design process to create extra space and adjust the overall mass of the house. The pavilion also provides shade in the summer. The dark wooden cladding matches the colour of the window frames and carpentry, but remains visually subordinate to the granite and rammed earth.

In contrast to the more sheltered ground floor, the upper floor connects to the landscape through large windows and terraces facing east and west, offering views of the coast and capturing the changing light throughout the day.

James Owen, director at Fieldwork Architects, explains: ‘We wanted the house to feel connected to its surroundings. The bedrooms are located within thick granite walls on the ground floor, offering protection from the exposed coastline, while a central axis brings daylight down through the staircase. Upstairs, the living spaces open up to the landscape and the sea.’

Material continuity

Inside, cream-coloured limestone connects the two floors through a series of repeating elements. The stone, used outside for the window frames, continues inside as a band that follows the staircase and the edge of the floor opening. It also forms the kitchen worktop and the stone frame in which the custom-made wooden cabinets designed by Fieldwork are placed.

The finish of the limestone varies according to its use. On the floor, a flamed surface reveals small fossilised shells, while the kitchen surfaces are smoothly polished.

Local materials and manufacturing

The material palette also includes locally manufactured wooden windows and joinery, reducing transport distances and supporting regional production. Together with the granite and rammed earth construction, these elements reinforce the use of locally produced materials that are suitable for the coastal environment.

Amber Warner, client and homeowner, looks back on the project: "It was important to have views of the landscape from all parts of the house. I wanted a space that feels cosy during the winters on the coast, but open and cool in the summer. It feels like it's embedded in the environment. The pink tones of the Jersey granite reflect the colours of the sunsets, while the grass in the garden mirrors the coastal vegetation."