This project was a new house to replace a dilapidated bungalow on an elevated but wooded site near the coast. The brief required more floor space than the existing dwelling but the potential visual impact of the new building meant that we had to consider the massing carefully. At the same time there was the client's obvious desire to make more of the stunning views. That lead us to develop a design consisting of two rectangular volumes, one single storey and one two storey, thus stepping up the hillside and reducing the perceived mass of the building. The use of traditional materials such as timber and stone, allows the house to harmonise with the setting but careful, crisp detailing gives a contemporary, considered feel to the design.