Melusine, St.Brelade

COMPLETED 2024 // DESIGN AWARDS 2024 - HIGHLY COMMENDED


The scheme weaves a series of intermediary terraces, steps and covered balconies into the existing southern paths, gardens and understory planting, creating a sequence of short and long views across neighbouring rooftops, the wider landscape and the sea. These views shift through the day and year as light, weather and seasons change. Timber, zinc and render in muted tones wrap a set of articulated forms that anchor the building to its setting. To the east, larger glazed openings and terraces frame long views above the mature tree canopy towards St Aubin Fort and across the bay to Elizabeth Castle, while to the south and west the house sits higher within the trees, shaping closer views of foliage and the landscaped escarpment beyond. More relaxed living spaces face west to capture the evening sun and open onto a generous terrace that links the main house with the garage and guest annexe. From the north, where the site meets a well-used access road, the building reads as a single-storey form with a varied mix of materials and boundary treatments that add character to the street edge. At the heart of the house, a centrally placed entrance hall, stair and lower landings, lined in timber, draw light down through circular rooflights and frame views through the building. Seasonal change shapes these spaces throughout the year, with winter light filtering deep inside as the canopy thins, and summer foliage providing a green outlook, shade and solar control when overheating risk is highest.