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Egrē House, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Framing the coast, flowing with light
- Currently under construction, Egrē House is a new timber frame residence perched above the Cowes coastline. It has been designed to work in harmony with light, landscape, and the graceful rhythm of its inhabitants' lives. The project balances the expressive and the considered, creating a home shaped by its setting, with panoramic sea views revealed from almost every point on the site.
The house is conceived as a flowing sequence of spaces, with light and movement guiding the architecture. Large glazed openings frame long vistas to the water, while careful positioning and orientation allow the coastal context to inform daily experience. The aim was to create a home that feels both open and grounded, where interior and exterior blur together, and each space serves both function and feeling.
At the heart of the design is a celebration of texture and permeability. Natural materials and soft transitions define a series of spaces that open and contract, offering moments of connection and retreat. The timber frame was chosen not only for its environmental performance, but also for its warmth, precision, and ability to support an architecture of ease and elegance.
Although the client has opted not to pursue official Passivhaus certification, the scheme has been developed with Passivhaus standards in mind. High performance MVHR systems, solar panels with battery storage, and intelligent climate control systems including automated rooflight openings and solar shading, all support exceptional thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Sedum roofs further enhance environmental performance by encouraging biodiversity and softening the building within its coastal setting. Every element has been carefully considered to minimise operational energy and create a home that is as intelligent as it is beautiful.
Functionality was central to the brief. The home is designed to support both present needs and future living, with a focus on clear layout, comfort, and adaptability. Every detail, from circulation routes to storage and sightlines, has been crafted to align with and enhance the client’s daily life.
A defining feature of the project is the retained Egypt Cottage, a characterful structure with distinctive arched “Egyptian” windows. These lend the site a unique architectural identity and tie it to its local heritage. Although partially demolished, the remaining structure will be carefully refurbished to offer guest accommodation, while preserving important views over Cowes Marina.
Egrē House explores the relationship between openness and shelter, light and stillness. It is a contemporary coastal home that draws the outdoors inward and lets the sea guide the tone of everyday life.
The name Egrē is inspired by the elegant coastal bird, the egret, often seen along the Isle of Wight shoreline. It captures the lightness, stillness, and quiet connection to nature that shaped the vision behind this home.
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