Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects
Walls of weathered stone and timber surround this gabled family retreat by British studio McLean Quinlan Architects on the Devon coastline in south-west England (+ slideshow).
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_1.jpg)
McLean Quinlan Architects located the building against a slope, in a position that offers views of both the surrounding countryside and the ocean.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_2.jpg)
Wooden panels clad the long sides of the building, while the gabled ends are constructed from stone and the pitched roof is covered with grey slate.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_14.jpg)
The architects intended this materials palette to reference the aesthetic of American summer houses. "The clients had in mind initially elements of a New England beach house, and so external materials of green oak boarding were used together with the local stone," said architect Kate Quinlan.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_6.jpg)
A protruding stone wall marks the house's entrance, leading through a heavy wooden door to a "mud room" used for drying wetsuits and storing wet-weather clothing such as overcoats and wellington boots.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_5.jpg)
An open-plan kitchen, living room and dining area occupies most of the ground level, and includes a children's play area, a large larder for storing food and a laundry space.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_7.jpg)
A staircase spans the width of the house, leading up to a first floor containing five bedrooms and three bathrooms - offering plenty of space for guests. A second staircase is hidden amongst the closets, ascending to an attic with two extra bedrooms.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_17.jpg)
Other waterside holiday homes on Dezeen include a raw concrete summerhouse on a Swedish island, a house clad with seaweed pillows in Denmark and a small wooden house on Scotland's Isle of Skye. See more holiday homes »
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_15.jpg)
Here's a project description from the architects:
Morthoe House
The house in located a small village on the North Devon Coast. It was built as a holiday home for the family, and designed to maximise the number of bedrooms and open living space.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_16.jpg)
The site is accessed down a long drive and the building is tucked up against the slope of the site to make the most of the long views down to the sea from the upper levels.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_13.jpg)
A stone gable end is the first glimpse you get of this building with a dark industrial chimney dark against grey stone.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_18.jpg)
The clients had in mind initially elements of a New England beach house, and so external materials of green oak boarding was used together with the local stone.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_19.jpg)
The resulting building is simple in form. A neat pitched volume coupled with a generous entrance porch.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_20.jpg)
This provides a formal entrance and provides direct access to a large mud room for drying wetsuits wet from days out surfing, and drying out muddy boots from walking the costal paths.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_22.jpg)
The building is split down the centre by a central stair. On entering the hall opens up to a double height space with views of the garden.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_23.jpg)
The main living space is open plan, with a separate games space for the kids and the practical necessities of a large larder and laundry.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_21.jpg)
Up the open tread stairs, on the first floor the spit volumes separate the master bedroom suite from the main bedroom wing.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_3.jpg)
Here there is a long corridor with a single pane window at the far end leads to 4 double bedrooms.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_11.jpg)
Half way along is a 'secret stair, tucked amongst the linen cupboards, which winds up to take you to to two further attic bedrooms above.
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_25.gif)
![Mortehoe House by McLean Quinlan Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/10/dezeen_Mortehoe-House-by-McLean-Quinlan-Architects_26.gif)
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