Described by The Guardian’s architecture critic Jonathan Glancey as “one of the most original and soul-stirring modern homes in Britain”, this is a wonderful conversion of an early 19th century martello tower overlooking the sea in Suffolk.

The conversion, described as “exemplary” by English Heritage and the recipient of a prestigious RIBA Award, was carried out by the architect Stuart Piercy of Piercy & Company in collaboration with Duncan Jackson of Billings Jackson Design. The tower sits on a quiet stretch of coast close the village of Bawdsey with the sea and beach in front and open farmland behind. It is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the towers at Bawdsey are designated as Scheduled Monuments by English Heritage.

The property is entered via a metal staircase that leads up to the first floor. There is an entrance hall here which give spectacular views of the internal space across two floors. The hall has a coat cupboard and WC off it. Also on this floor is a reception room with a wood burning stove. Stairs lead down to the bedrooms and bathrooms and up to the top space which incorporates a kitchen / living / dining area. This floor, which opens out onto a terrace is described by Glancey as “a revelation: all light, space and comfort… with the sea and all its moods just beyond the parapet, with ships hoving in and out of view and, sunlight playing over the lichen-encrusted brickwork throughout the day”. Glancey goes on to state that “here is a special place to cook, entertain, or just while away the day… Stroll onto the terrace and you feel as if you’ve walked from the bridge of a modern liner out onto its deck, where you stand bathed in light and sucking in sea air” (for the full article click here). This space was created by the addition of an undulating roof that not only provides a beautiful ceiling for the room but also allows for far-reaching 360 degree views of the surrounding sea and countryside. The roof extension, in the words of Jackson, “echoes the sculptural interior of vaulted brickwork creating a congruency between the contemporary and historic”.

The ground floor incorporates three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two study spaces. Light is bought into this floor by the ingenious use of light wells cut through the brick. The fittings and finishes throughout are largely bespoke given the unique nature of the property and have been selected and installed with great care and attention. Notable features include a camera obscura fitted into one the bedrooms that reflects the seascape onto the walls.

Bawdsey is a quiet and secluded village, ten miles from the popular Suffolk market town of Woodbridge. There is a train station at Woodbridge that runs services into London Liverpool Street (journey time approx 1 ¾ hours). Further up the Suffolk coast can be found the popular seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold, with the Snape Maltings also being close by.

The tower currently provides a substantial income as a holiday let. Further details are available on request.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.


History

Below is a comment on the project by the architect Stuart Piercy of Piercy & Company:

“Converting a Napoleonic defence tower built in 1808 into a 21st Century private residence was a demanding brief. As a Scheduled Monument on the At Risk register and located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the planning negotiations were matched in complexity by the on-site logistics. The completed conversion won the support of English Heritage who herald it as an exemplar of how to convert significant historical buildings.

The new roof follows many of the curves within the original building while the 3 metre thick solid bonded brick walls (originally designed to withstand cannon fire from the North Sea) create a massive base from which the new roof is tethered. The simplicity of this massive form in the landscape hides the complexity and beauty of the plan and geometry.”

Film: Martello Tower Y – The Story of its Rescue

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