A breathtaking six-bedroom coastal home carved into the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall has earned a coveted spot on the shortlist for Grand Designs' House of the Year award. The luxurious property, perched above the picturesque bay of Mawgan Porth—a celebrity hotspot village—was praised by Channel 4's Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud as an impressive "design feat."
The remarkable residence, officially called 'Two Family House,' was featured in the opening episode of Grand Designs: House of the Year, which aired this week. The four-part series showcases six exceptional properties competing for the prestigious award from RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects). Cornwall's striking entry has already distinguished itself by winning the RIBA South West and Wessex Award 2025, cementing its status as an architectural masterpiece.
Designed by the acclaimed Rundell Associates, the property is described by RIBA as "a striking seaside retreat" that seamlessly blends into the coastal landscape. The house represents a unique collaboration between two families who decided to share ownership rather than compromise on the ambitious design vision. As McCloud explained during the episode, "What started as a simple brief for a family retreat quickly evolved into something far more ambitious and infinitely more complicated."
Architect Mike Rundell, who spearheaded the project, revealed the fascinating evolution of the commission during the show. "The client was a family that I'd worked with before. They'd asked me to find a place that would be a retreat for their family, somewhere by the sea, and of course I'm Cornish so I said 'the best place is Cornwall,'" Rundell explained. The project took an unexpected turn when the team discovered they could push the building further back into the hillside, significantly expanding its scope and scale.
The increased size and complexity of the design presented financial challenges that led to an innovative solution. Rather than scaling back their architectural ambitions, the original clients made the creative decision to partner with close friends, transforming the project into a shared retreat for two families. "So they decided to join forces with another family, their friends, and suddenly it became a house we designed for four people," Rundell noted, highlighting how this collaboration brought "four disparate points of view" that required careful consideration and compromise throughout the design process.
The architectural marvel showcases impressive technical achievements alongside its stunning aesthetics. McCloud described how the structure required approximately five weeks to assemble, incorporating more than 400 strengthened timber panels that had to be carefully positioned using cranes. Some of these massive panels weighed as much as two tons, demonstrating the engineering complexity involved in creating this clifftop sanctuary.
The house features an thoughtfully designed layout that accommodates both shared living and private retreats for the two families. The ground floor includes a swimming pool with panoramic ocean views, a spacious playroom, modern kitchen and dining area, cozy snug, elegant living room, and practical carport. The upper level houses six bedrooms and includes a small shared kitchen, allowing the families flexibility to live together or maintain their independence as desired.
RIBA's judges were particularly impressed with the architectural execution and attention to detail. In their official assessment, they noted: "Externally the mass of the building has successfully been broken down through its articulation. The architects achieved this through a lower story of gray and brown local Cornish stonework and an upper level predominantly of timber and glass, with a copper cantilevered roof." The interior design earned equal praise for its "finely executed and orchestrated stone, timber and plaster finishes create subtle transitions between spaces, punctuated with clear thresholds between rooms and the pivotal central hub."
McCloud emphasized the property's connection to local building traditions, describing it as a "remarkable" structure that celebrates the "proud tradition of Cornish craftsmanship." This sentiment was echoed by Rundell, who builds properties worldwide but maintains deep respect for regional expertise. The architect recalled his grandfather's wisdom that "no one builds houses like the Cornish," a philosophy clearly reflected in the meticulous construction and integration with the dramatic coastal setting.
The Two Family House represents more than just architectural achievement; it embodies innovative approaches to modern living and collaborative ownership. The project demonstrates how creative problem-solving can transform challenges into opportunities, resulting in a home that serves multiple families while maintaining design integrity. As the competition progresses through the remaining three episodes, this Cornish masterpiece stands as a testament to the power of ambitious vision combined with skilled local craftsmanship and innovative engineering solutions.
