Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex

Located within the highly regarded Roedean enclave, Chenies (also known as Coastguards) occupies an elevated position with a direct and uninterrupted outlook across the English Channel. The house has been carefully conceived to respond to both aspect and topography, its twin-gabled form and weatherboarded elevations referencing a New England vernacular, while remaining appropriately restrained within its coastal setting.

Extending to just over 5,600 sq ft, the accommodation is arranged with clarity and balance, placing emphasis on natural light, volume and orientation. A five-metre glazed atrium forms the architectural centre of the house, introducing a vertical element that draws light through the plan and provides a consistent point of reference across each level.

The principal living spaces are orientated towards the sea. Two reception rooms sit to the front, both benefiting from an uninterrupted coastal outlook, while a more informal family room is arranged around a bio-ethanol fireplace. A dedicated cinema room is discreetly positioned, creating a separation between formal and informal use.

To the rear, the kitchen and dining room extends to approximately 32 feet, forming the core of the house. The specification is deliberately understated, with clean-lined cabinetry and integrated appliances. Full-width sliding glass doors open directly onto the terrace, allowing for an unbroken relationship between the interior and garden.

Externally, the garden has been designed to sit quietly within its setting, adopting a soft, structured planting scheme with Buxus, lavender and climbing clematis. A paved terrace runs along the rear elevation, with the lawn rising gently beyond, affording partial views back towards the sea.

The bedroom accommodation is arranged across the upper floors, with each room benefiting from its own en suite. The principal suite occupies the south-west aspect, with a dual orientation and access to a private balcony. A guest suite mirrors this arrangement, also enjoying a sea-facing terrace. Two further bedrooms overlook the garden, while the upper level provides an additional pair of rooms, each with elevated views across the Channel.

A self-contained annexe is incorporated at ground level, arranged as a one-bedroom unit with independent access, its own terrace and parking. The space provides flexibility for guest accommodation or ancillary use, without compromise to the principal house.

In its composition, Coastguards is defined by a disciplined architectural approach and a clear response to its coastal setting, where light, aspect and proportion take precedence over unnecessary embellishment.