Strom Architects has completed Porthmadog House, a residence on the country coast in north-west Wales, UK. With views of the bay over the Irish Sea, the house has a dual character: taking advantage of expansive sea views while drawing inspiration from the rugged countryside and inland landscape.

Two slate-clad volumes at ground floor level act as a barrier against the prevailing winds and rain, providing shelter and privacy to the entrance courtyard on the inland side of the site. These house more enclosed and practical spaces such as the snug, gym, plant rooms etc, whilst the more social functions sit between these heavy slate volumes. Large areas of glazing here make the space brighter and celebrate the stunning coastal views. A lighter first floor volume spans over the slate walls, creating sheltered spaces underneath to inhabit. This element is a corten steel box, with a series of fins providing shelter, privacy and articulating the glazed facade.

The heavy slate grounds the building on the site, whilst the corten steel offers a striking visual contrast. Both materials are a nod to the historical context of the area – with its iron foundries and slate mining – but are purposefully used in a contemporary way to complement the architecture. With such an exposed location, it was vital that Strom Architects chose materials that were suitably robust, and that would weather gracefully without the need for maintenance.