Ferring, The Poplars, West Sussex

This decidedly contemporary two-bedroom house lies a short walk from the beach in Ferring, West Sussex. Neutral interiors amplify the soothing coastal light that enters through broad windows at the front and rear. A tactile material palette combines with playful pockets of colour added at intervals throughout. Built with sustainability at its core, the building has been constructed with structurally insulated panels or SIPs and is served by an air source heat pump.



The Building



Structurally insulated panels (SIPs) are a fabric-first approach to building sustainable, well-insulated homes. They vastly reduce a home's heat loss by improving airtightness, minimising thermal bridging, and maximising insulation. The panels are prefabricated off-site, dramatically reducing the construction time and material waste. They comprise of a rigid core of insulation sandwiched between two layers of OSB, which can be finished internally and externally to design.



Here, the external cladding is Linea from Equitone, a reconstituted fibre cement panel with a 3D design. Based on the dimensions of the human hand, the low-profile ridges add a subtle dynamism as they catch the light differently depending on orientation and time of day. Combined with the air source heat pump, this home is well-equipped for a sustainable future.



The Tour



Stepped back from the private street, the house comprises a series of angled, pitched profiles punctuated with black-framed windows. A green door with a nautical circular window sits behind a gravelled front garden with plenty of spaces for potted coastal plants.



Entry is to the open-plan living, kitchen and dining room, the bright and social centre of the house. Neutrally-toned rubber floors spread out underfoot and shuttered concrete rises to a datum across the walls. This concrete basin is evidence of the innovative construction method used, and adds a unique character throughout. A seating area is arranged at the front of the room, orientated towards sliding doors that open to a front terrace.



The kitchen and dining area is behind, with plenty of space for a large table and chairs. Arranged in an L-shape, the white kitchen units resonate with the room’s overarching penchant for simple clean lines. It has an induction hob and a stainless-steel sink below a window. Sea-green tiles between high and low cabinetry form a spirited backsplash.



In the far corner of the ground floor is the first of the house’s two bedrooms, a spacious double with a built-in cupboard and the shuttered concrete that runs a datum around the room. A smart bathroom completes the ground-floor plan and has a walk-in shower encased in peachy-pink tiles.



Birch plywood stairs ascend to the upper floor, first arriving at a skylight-lit snug space with a west-facing square picture window on one side. The second bedroom opens from here, set beneath the slope of the pitched ceiling above. This, along with a large skylight, lends a voluminous, airy feel. Plenty of storage space is provided by a bank of built-in cupboards. An en suite adjoins, with a large walk-in shower and hexagonal-shaped terrazzo tiles.



Outdoor Space



The cast concrete base extends out from the ground-floor living room to form a sheltered terrace, shaded by a retractable awning. Gravelled gardens surround it and have plenty of space for outdoor seating, as well as some artfully potted plants.



The Area



The Poplars is a private road that encircles a large shared green onto which each house looks. Originally built as a sports club, organised around a central tennis court which Fred Perry was rumoured to frequent. Today it is an oasis where mature scots pine tower over sculptural shrubbery to create a pastoral outlook and are home to a variety of wildlife.



The home is a short walk from Ferring beach, a secluded coastal spot with both pebbles and sand. There are rock pools at low tide, beach huts available for hire and the beloved Bluebird café that serves hot coffee to warm up after a sea swim.



Worthing is to the east of the house and is known for its beach, pier and the Victorian Highdown Gardens, which has a succession of flowering bulbs in the spring and summertime. There are some brilliant restaurants in and around Worthing, including Tern, which lies in an art deco building reminiscent of an ocean liner, Saltio and Crabshack. There is also the fantastic Dome Cinema, an Edwardian cinema with a lively programme of films.



To the north is the South Downs National Park, which incorporates large tracts for walking as well as National Trust sites like the Cissbury Ring. Arundel, with its brilliant castle and independent shops, is a short drive away. For a larger variety of offerings, Chichester can be reached in around 35 minutes by car.



Goring-by-Sea station is the closest railway link to the house at around a five-minute drive away or a half hour’s walk. It runs connections to London Victoria in around 90 minutes. Despite its peaceful feel, there are several great road connections nearby for travel along the south coast towards Portsmouth in the West or Eastbourne and Hastings in the east.



Council Tax Band: D