From the Archive: Bawdsey, Suffolk

MARTELLO TOWER Y, SUFFOLK, PIERCY CONNER , 2010 , - SIDE VIEW IN AFTERNOON
MARTELLO TOWER Y, SUFFOLK, PIERCY CONNER , 2010
MARTELLO TOWER Y, SUFFOLK, PIERCY CONNER , 2010

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. It was sold by The Modern House in 2014.

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.

When discussing the project, the architect said:

“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.”

Photography: Edward Sumner

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