Martello Tower Y Bawdsey, Suffolk - The Modern House · The Times "The big draw is the room on top, an eyrie with a high-tech curving roof set on that wraparound band of glazing".

Martello Tower YBawdsey, Suffolk

SOLD

Described by The Guardian’s architecture critic JonathanGlancey as “one of the most original and soul-stirringmodern homes in Britain”, this is a wonderful conversion ofan early 19th century Martello Tower overlooking the seain Suffolk. The tower sits on a quiet stretch of coast, withthe sea and beach in front and open farmland behind. It issituated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and thetowers at Bawdsey are designated as Scheduled Monumentsby English Heritage.

The Martello Towers take both their name and structuraldesign from 16th-century Corsican examples at Mortellaand were conceived in an attempt to protect against theNapoleonic invasion, that never came. The conversion atMartello Tower Y, described as “exemplary” by EnglishHeritage was undertaken in 2010 by the architect StuartPiercy of Piercy & Company in collaboration with DuncanJackson of Billings Jackson Design. A string of prestigiousaccolades  followed, including the RIBA Award of 2010.

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The property is entered via a metal staircase that leads upto the first floor. There is an entrance hall here which givesspectacular views of the internal space across two floors.The hall has a coat cupboard and WC off it. Also on thisfloor is a reception room with a wood burning stove tohunker down in front of. But as Hugh Pearman wrote forThe Times "The big draw is the room on top, an eyrie witha high-tech curving roof set on that wraparound band ofglazing".

This floor,  which incorporates a kitchen / living / diningarea and opens out onto a terrace is described by Glanceyas “a revelation: all light, space and comfort… with the seaand all its moods just beyond the parapet, with ships hovingin and out of view and, sunlight playing over thelichen-encrusted brickwork throughout the day”. Glanceygoes on to state that “here is a special place to cook,entertain, or just while away the day… Stroll onto theterrace and you feel as if you’ve walked from the bridge ofa modern liner out onto its deck, where you stand bathedin light and sucking in sea air”.

This space was created by the addition of an undulatingroof that not only provides a beautiful ceiling for the roombut also allows for far-reaching 360 degree views of thesurrounding sea and countryside. The roof extension, in thewords of Jackson, “echoes the sculptural interior of vaultedbrickwork creating a congruency between thecontemporary and historic”.

The ground floor incorporates three bedrooms, twobathrooms and two study spaces. Light is bought into thisfloor by the ingenious use of light wells cut through thebrick. The fittings and finishes throughout are largelybespoke given the unique nature of the property and havebeen selected and installed with great care and attention.Notable features include a camera obscura fitted into onethe bedrooms that reflects the seascape onto the walls.

Bawdsey is a quiet and secluded village, ten miles from thepopular Suffolk market town of Woodbridge, which hasgood local amenities and a bustling farmers market on thesecond Saturday of every month. The Anglo-Saxon burialsite at Sutton Hoo is also just around the corner. Theattractive town of Orford, a 20 minute drive away, attractsvisitors for its twice daily drops of fresh lobster and crabs,

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its renowned oysterage and smokehouse and the excellentPump Street Bakery. Further up the Suffolk coast can befound the popular seaside towns of Aldeburgh andSouthwold and Benjamin Britten’s renowned concert hall atSnape Maltings.  There is a train station at Woodbridge thatruns services into London Liverpool Street (journey timeapprox 1 ¾ hours).

The tower currently provides a substantial income as aholiday let. Further details are available on request.

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Martello Tower Y

1

Section

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Martello Tower Y

2

Ground Floor Plan

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Martello Tower Y

3

Entrance , 1st Floor Plan

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Martello Tower Y

4

2nd Floor Plan

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Martello Tower Y

5

Roof Plan

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