Stocks Lane

Situated on the West Sussex coast at East Wittering, Stocks Lane is a 200sqm, four-bedroom house designed as a long-term home for an active, sea-loving family. The site was purchased with the intention of demolishing an existing dilapidated bungalow and constructing a new, high-performance family home in its place.

The brief evolved beyond creating a well-insulated contemporary house; it became about shaping a home that supports ritual, movement and seasonal living.

As water-sports enthusiasts, regular kite-surfers and wing-foilers, the clients wanted to incorporate practical features for their lifestyle. Beach life is not occasional — it defines their weekly rhythm. The house therefore needed to work as hard on a winter’s evening with wet neoprene and sandy kit as it does on a still summer morning with coffee in a sunny corner.

The architecture balances calm, grounded forms with striking details. A cantilevered balcony becomes a defining feature of the home, creating a sense of lightness while opening living spaces to the surrounding landscape. Materials, massing and orientation have been carefully considered to ensure the new building sits naturally within its environment — contemporary in character, yet deeply rooted in its coastal context.

Adam Knibb Architects took over the project at Stage 4 of the RIBA process, after planning permission was obtained by Cloud 9 Design Studio. Since then our team have set about developing the technical design, refining details and bringing the concept to life.

Constructed using a pre-fabricated timber frame, this eco-friendly house prioritises performance and comfort. An air source heat pump, underfloor heating and solar panels provide a low-energy foundation, while a highly insulated envelope ensures warmth and quiet. Careful consideration has been given to limiting road noise and protecting privacy without sacrificing daylight.

Internally, the plan is arranged around light and aspect. Spaces are positioned to capture the easterly morning sun, the southerly garden, and the low winter light. Small moments — window seats, coffee nooks and framed views — create places to pause throughout the day. A subtle first-floor glimpse of the sea is intentionally aligned and celebrated.

The threshold between indoors and outdoors is softened and extended. Living areas open directly to the garden, encouraging barefoot circulation in summer and visual connection in colder months. Natural materials are used wherever possible, chosen for durability in a coastal climate and for their tactile warmth.

A dedicated wet room with external access provides a practical space for managing wetsuits and beach equipment, preventing sand and saltwater from moving through the main living areas. Storage is integrated throughout the house, including full-height joinery, under-stair solutions and generous utility spaces, ensuring the home remains organised and adaptable as the family grows.

Stocks Lane is designed not as a statement object, but as a framework for living — adaptable, robust and generous in light. A home intended to evolve with its occupants, offering flexibility for changing needs while remaining rooted in its coastal setting.

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