Finding the flow
A grounded home reshaped for family life in St Ewe
WELCOME TO MARRAUM
From the glimmer of an idea to the stroke of a pencil, the first turn of a door handle to the flickering of a smile across a face, at Marraum we bring more to your space – and take your story beyond its walls.
And we begin with you. Because at the heart of each architecture project – studio spaces, private loft conversions, commercial builds or building that dream home – are the people who use it.
They’re the yawns that stretch to eye-widening views in the morning. They’re the feet feeling cool concrete underfoot. They’re the eyes looking for inspiration at their desks. And the shoulders that hunker down in the evening. These are the people whose surroundings bring more to each and every experience.
With years of architecture and design experience in both Cornwall and further afield – paired with aesthetic drive, strong ethics and constant curiosity – we know how to make space work harder for you.So from beginning, middle and end – discover how you can bring your own story of space to life.
The brief
The existing cottage had evolved over time, with a series of rear extensions that lacked both clarity and cohesion. Internally, the layout felt compromised, with the staircase positioned directly within the living space, limiting how the home could function for a growing family.
The brief was to create a more flexible, open plan living environment, while also introducing a clearer sense of arrival. Reorganising the internal layout was key, alongside improving how the house connected to its setting and responded to the exposed conditions.
The interpretation
The repositioning of the staircase became the defining move. By relocating it into a dedicated entrance hall, the plan was unlocked, allowing the ground floor to flow more naturally and giving each space a clearer purpose.
From this shift, the new extension could be properly integrated, no longer feeling like an afterthought but part of a unified whole. Externally, a restrained palette of timber cladding and render was introduced to tie together old and new, while also standing up to the demanding weather conditions at the top of the hill.
Robust detailing and material choices were carefully considered to ensure longevity, responding directly to the constant exposure that defines the site.
The outcome
The result is a home that feels both grounded and connected. Internally, spaces now work effortlessly for family life, with open plan living balanced by a clear sense of structure and arrival.
A particularly hard working addition is the covered utility space. Designed for everyday use, it provides a practical threshold between outside and in, ideal for muddy boots, wet kit and the realities of an active family.
What was once a fragmented cottage is now a cohesive, resilient home, shaped by its setting and ready for the demands of modern living.
