Inside a Minimalist Capsule Home Overlooking the British Coastline | Architectural Digest

Today Architectural Digest travels to the Isle of Wight on England’s south coast to tour Saltmarsh House, a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) House of the Year 2023 shortlisted project. Sitting on the edge of a vast tidal marsh, this stunning pavilion home, designed by architect Níall McLaughlin, floats above the ground on a lightweight steel frame. Truly ingenious is the property’s structure, which was prefabricated off-site and lifted into place to minimize disruption to the surrounding nature reserve. Offering uninterrupted views of the marshes and bay beyond, this impressive home is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature, proving they can coexist in harmony for generations to come.
Discover the RIBA House of the Year 2023 winner here: • Inside The UK’s ‘Super...
Read more about the ingenious Saltmarsh House: www.architecturaldigest.com/s...
Director: Skylar Economy
Director of Photography: Michael Dangerfield, Daniel Fliegauf
Editor: William Long
Talent: Tilo Guenther, Níall McLaughlin
Producer: Chase Lewis
Producer, On Set: Daniel Fliegauf
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Chloe Leung, George Wilkinson
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Kevin Early
Drone Operator: Michael Dangerfield
Audio Engineer: Adam Gutch, Michael Panayiotis
Production Assistant: Ben Rowling, Motunrayo Soyannwo
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Colorist: Oiver Eid
Additional Photography: Níall McLaughlin Architects
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[@Archdigest]

Discover the RIBA House of the Year 2023 winner here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJzNh4GXqa-Urbs You can read more about the ingenious Saltmarsh House: www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ingenious-british-home-appears-float-surrounding-meadows

[@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027]

great, I'd add about 4 more pods lol

[@PeterEconomy]

This is what architecture is all about -- love it.

[@rossrreyes]

Absolutely fantastic roof structure. It’s elegant, light & airy but also textural & intricate. I never knew I could be so in love with a roof

[@Torus2112]

I definitely think it's beautiful, as others have said not the most practical but I get the impression that this isn't the owner's main house, and as a guest house and/or social space out building it's fantastic. I'm sure that you could take this design and scale it up so that it had enough floor space to be practical it would make a great proper house.

[@britbc4461]

I'm so confused by the many, many chairs and benches. It's like a conference room with a bedroom.

[@pred7949]

put some effort into your thinking. if you don't understand something or are confused by it, it just means that you are ill educated about the topic at hand.

[@janepage3608]

No, this is called ‘politeness’. Instead of saying the creation is quite obviously designed with no thought for its ultimate function, the commentator merely uses the word ‘confusing’. One day you might learn to be polite too.

[@pred7949]

@@janepage3608 politeness disguised as passive aggression. The polite thing to do would be to keep their negative inclined opinion to themselves and get educated on the purpose of different styles of architectural buildings as I stated in my comment. I don't care for foolish fragility and your sensitivity doesn't change what is fact.

[@scottmulholland1329]

It feels like a clubhouse or a bus shelter with fancy windows

[@scottmulholland1329]

@@pred7949put some effort into being open minded- everyone interprets design and structure through their own lens.

[@cherylrleigh1912]

What an exquisite space! The design and intricate details are simply sublime.

[@hdtravel1]

This house is just amazing - very minimalist and very in touch with the natural beauty of the land.

[@ericahlevine]

I love love love the roof and the windows. Genius.

[@fucky889]

So beautiful, dream to build something like this in the future.

[@chestyvulva]

May your dream come true ❤

[@OCTOmgnt]

This whole presentation was wonderfully produced. Thank you!

[@ThreeRunHomer]

A brilliant design for a warm climate site.

[@daniellewalker4075]

But it’s in England. We’re famous for our rainy weather.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

@@daniellewalker4075 but mild compared to most of the US. The broad roof obviously is great for rainy weather too.

[@louduva9849]

'most of the US' Eh? @@ThreeRunHomer

[@jtropfenbaum7931]

Heat loss must be enormous !

[@ashleighbhole4573]

Stunningly meticulous architecture! What a dream.

[@theopinionisthighqualityopinio]

It's ok, but gives the feeling of being very uncomfortable. There's only one piece of furniture, besides the bed, that has any cushions or 'softness' to it. Also, being surrounded by all that water, where were any screens? People who've lived in similar environments with plenty of water (New Orleans and Milano), know just how bad the mosquitoes can get! The bed looked like it barely fit into the bedroom, which would create a real hassle when trying to put sheets on it. All in all, it's nice to look at, but I wouldn't want to live or spend a weekend there, especially in summertime.

[@akirebara]

I'm with you on the seatings. They don't look too comfy. Not at all inviting. That view overlooking the sea is great but i need some soft couch and cushions while im looking at that view.

[@theopinionisthighqualityopinio]

@@akirebara I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! Yes, it's a wonderful view, but a soft couch and cushions are definitely needed!! The house doesn't scream "comfort" at all. We're definitely in agreement!!

[@laqueatabrown9916]

I agree the mosquitos would be killer for me.

[@theopinionisthighqualityopinio]

@@laqueatabrown9916 Exactly! With all of that water and those huge windows, they'd be feasting on us!!

[@Ericthegreat1483]

Wow this makes me reconsider the idea of a larger floor plan being more desirable, the ceiling and use of space is more than enough and surprisingly large and bright when you walk in. Only thought is wondering where they would store all the clothes and larger bits

[@2ridiculous41]

As a retired developer, I can assure you that "light" is as important as "space". both terms tend to mean more than their simple definitions, but light counts for a lot.

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

A dining table seating at least14, maybe more, people, and then one tiny kitchen and one bedroom/bathroom only? Makes not overly much sense to me, although I did enjoy the architecture in general, and the views/landscape in particular.

[@davidcattin7006]

Simply stunning; stunningly simple. Love the very subtly integrated benches inside and out-- never a lack of seating if a lot of people show up, and they can double as space for serving, setting down your drink, etc.

[@Slen01]

Looks like a house to host seminars

[@kathythompson9931]

I love this and I love the lighting at night! Thank you for sharing!

[@RexMckinnis]

I watch all these videos of these beautiful spaces. Idk how but I’m going to own one. One Day!

[@thelalanz73]

Beautiful with lovey light.Gorgeous piece of architecture.

[@Eltoca21]

1000% love this

[@birdsongforest7950]

Why is the dining room table so unbelievably oversized with such a teeny tiny kitchen? Makes no sense.

[@aairsick]

it's a pavilion -- it's for a large gathering

[@crwlh6721]

@@aairsick That's obvious. But your comment doesn't answer the question.

[@catemoon]

It’s not really a house, it’s a meeting space. The video title is misleading.

[@marshalltito]

​@@catemoon​​ bedroom, living/dining area, kitchen, full bathroom, it's a house.

[@builtbyjamie]

Why is my flat so unbelievably undersized, and my dog so big?

[@andronicemarinis1072]

One bedroom for two people, but twenty chairs in the dining room. 😮

[@bmolitor615]

it's to show off to friends - that kitchen can't turn out that many covers either; it'd be hard put just to warm that many covers with a chef/server. It's for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and showing off, and then maybe some hanging out as a single or couple with a couple friends over for the day. It's a weird little building.

[@greyman419]

"Peasant art in Switzerland" is an aspirational level of book snobbery

[@AP12360]

Magnificent! I love the minimal spaces and clean lines. I love it! ♥︎

[@siennaropert2803]

Literally incredible

[@pcbrightlights]

Lovely space. The HUGE dining table is puzzling and dominating.

[@treemerryweather]

beautifully done and best use of a Leuchtturm B5 journal ever 💙💚💙

[@JoelDavid678]

So beautiful!

[@marcosargen3729]

So worth my time! To me, this video demonstrates when You Tube's content is at its best.

[@planetChristie]

The lighting ❤

[@amado7760]

Wow, absolutely beautiful !

[@brettfine3444]

It's beautiful! I'll take 2 of those, please. Thank you.

[@ugo_signorello]

Beautiful détails... Very interesting design bravo

[@falkwendt7287]

just beautiful ~

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

My step father had those sofas late 70s .

[@abaskamal8599]

inspiring piece, thank u

[@yan3562]

In theory this should feel cozy but somehow it doesn’t

[@starkparker16]

That's a gem of a house

[@digitalnduja8503]

Exquisite. Well done team M.

[@mikedl1105]

I would love to stay there... for about a week

[@g0rc752]

looks like cargo container turned into a house

[@SoCalFreelance]

My concern would be that roof design in high winds, like an umbrella.

[@carlcarlamos9055]

I like it. Thank you. Take care.

[@spencersanderson4590]

Love the Architectural OCD

[@OHANA-BEACH-SUITES]

THATS ALL I NEED PERFECT!

[@diegor.dem.5846]

perfection !

[@aprilshorty4094]

It's just ok and it doesn't feel cozy it seems like it could feel a little cold but I do love the roof.

[@catemoon]

Why is the bedroom so crammed?

[@alpineflauge909]

awesome

[@ezzymartin]

Soooo pretty

[@user-sj6zv9qj8z]

Маленькая кухня, огромный стол для большого количества людей и всего лишь одна маленькая спальня на двоих. Добро пожаловать комарам, пчелам и мошкаре. Представляются сугробы на кровле зимой и сосульки. Архитектуоа напоминает контейнерное строительство. Для любителей экстримального отдыха на природе.

[@mariachernova921]

Все-таки это павильон для мероприятий и гостей, не для постоянного проживания. Видимо с насекомыми борются другими методами, не сетками.

[@stefanoscheggi4352]

Please! Could someone tell me more about the carpet? I'm in love!

[@thisminimallife]

It’s beautiful house

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

It looks and feels like a camping site showers and toilet shack but with a lot of storytelling. Designed to feel guilty about pleasure.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

It looks like a park rec center, or like some sort of depressing meeting room out in the middle of nowhere, where no one can hear you scream.

[@2ridiculous41]

I can hear you scream. I've lived in a similar house and I'll leave you screaming.

[@stephenpetitt8551]

How on earth did they get planning permission for that?

[@hamza-chaudhry]

I like the design but the main space seems a bit vast and repetitive

[@bbsikdru]

This house reminds me of IKEA.

[@2ridiculous41]

I didn't see any missing bolts.

[@joshl.6982]

Wow

[@davecahyo]

Very beautiful house with stunning engineering and very calm minimalistic interior. Everything about this house is perfect, but if it's a bird conservatory for rare species, then you shouldn't built on that land!

[@WDSimp]

It's a lovely art piece and perfectly serviceable as a vacation house. Not to my taste, though that is purely due to the interior decorating.

[@2ridiculous41]

I would guess that you could build basically the same house with very different options. If you google Gabriel Poole Capricorn you will find a flexible Australian alternative.

[@reecemcnaughten4160]

10:31 and so I thought I would design a big glass building for all the mating birds to snap their neck and when they eventually hurt her at 100 mile an hour coming in to land to see their little babies for another day… Nope that's a window you just flew into lol

[@MJSE-of7gs]

Whatever people like is fine by me. However all I see is an el-cheapo three shoe boxes pinned together and someone calling it a house. No, or minimal, insulation, no apparent climate control (except an environmentally unfriendly slow combustion firebox) No solar, No fly screens, no storage, no parking. Waxing lyrical over this is quite ridiculous.

[@rileyhanne]

The kitchen could've been larger to facilitate dinners for the amount of people around that large table but I'm guessing this is some kind of corporate conference meeting place?

[@ClaireandNanami]

the furniture does not look comfortable at all. Who puts wooden benches in an expensive house? it just seems so out of place. And as other commenters mentioned, that tiny kitchen does not make sense for such a big table. How can you have a big gathering there when there is no kitchen space to be able to cook or store food or even store enough plates/glasses/silverware for that many guests.

[@drnickik]

Is there mainlined water, sewer and power?

[@Blublod]

Nice architecture, but I hope that sail of a roof can sustain high winds before it is ripped away by the gales.

[@chriszaiser]

Beautiful

[@josephpiskac2781]

Brilliant though will it weather the storms and rock throwing?

[@erikadowdy2382]

Very Cool🎉

[@phoenixrerising]

What a pity one has to look at those boring cupboards that form the back of the bences when you are seated in any of the chairs/sofas. Why make these so high that they obstruct the beautiful view to the harbour?

[@Rebelnightwolfe]

The smallest house with the most chairs.

[@catemoon]

Or the biggest house with the smallest bedroom.

[@03kanchan]

I loved the house and architecture. The main problem was solved using Jaipur architectural inspiration. Fab job. Just editor could have kept model and picture explanations proper instead of running it fast.

[@NeroHero._]

One day semoga aku bisa beliin ibu rumah yng kaya gini

[@HomeAtLast501]

One bedroom, and a dining room table with 16 chairs.

[@pingpongdonkeykongkong]

Odd isn’t it

[@HomeAtLast501]

@@pingpongdonkeykongkong A.K.A. bad design.

[@johnanonyimous5007]

looks fragile; how will it handle high winds?

[@richardg8651]

It's all about the site not the shed.

[@originsdecoded3508]

British coastline? British swamp is a more accurate description

[@pammiller333]

Beautiful to look at but not a place I would ever want to live.

[@kennyduren0831]

The idea is cool but severely lacking in realistic execution

[@LetsTalkColdplay]

Glorified shipping container but harder to clean.

[@anonymoussource1]

A few quibbles: -Those built-in benches running almost the entire length of the main space are a total waste. No one will ever want to sit there. They look incredibly cold and uncomfortable. -The huge windows in the pods are a nice touch, but you can't get in or out of the bedroom without scrambling over the bed and then dropping about 3 feet. Impractical and annoying. Also, you can't get any air without opening a door to the outside. I couldn't sleep comfortably with an open door at my feet. -As noted by others, the dining space looks designed to entertain 12-16 people, but the kitchen is wholly inadequate for that kind of entertaining. I admire the architect's passion, but I think he was more interested in creating an art object than a practical living space. This place is for 2 people max, probably 2 days at a time max.

[@N.aesth1]

How can I purchase this?.. details please nah... just kidding, too broke rn

[@issamstockholm7581]

‏‪🥰👍💪

[@p4l4d1n7]

the amount of seats vs bedrooms is a bit much no?

[@paveladamek3502]

For some reason all the cladding looks like minimum security prison for white-collar offenders. This is what Norway would build to create "human environment" in prisons. It is not homey or luxurious.

[@jbuckley2546]

All that bench seating facing the wrong way.

[@00Noontide]

Nice living room, but you can barely walk around the bed.

[@DavidDatura]

The future of housing in an increasingly overpopulated world…together with more high-rises I suppose too.

[@sunnysideup33]

This house makes no sense to me.

[@janemurphy6443]

No, not for me. Looks like a factory and boardroom, totally impersonal, dull, boring.

[@DEATHBYFLYINGCDS]

I think it's official, I hate minimalism, it's so empty it makes me anxious

[@rebahensley5323]

There are nice feautures to this house, but it is so stark and cold it just doesn't fit with the landscape . I wouldn't buy it.

[@MrJhchrist]

Design brief: Super light weight. Solution: Surround it with 1/2 ton windows that each require 1/2 ton counter weight to open in a stupid way nobody expected. Nailed it? This house just reeks of something an architect would design for an architect to take pictures of for an architect magazine. It's an assignment, not a house.

[@kishastanley344]

🤎

[@lolaisabelcastro3310]

Not cozy. Better for much hotter climes!

[@dianahall6500]

How about more architecture and less architect sounding pretentious 🙄

[@cwslai]

Simply too big for 2 people to stay. A lot of space in this building seems not necessary. The ceiling must cost a lot too.

[@keylove3189]

10,000 years no architecture....now that's a lie!