How an artist and architect converted a war bunker on the wild Isle of Wight coast
Between 1941 and 1947, things here (not too far from the seaside town of Ventnor) would have looked very different. During World War II, part of this building – the existing concrete structure – served as a Royal Air Force radar station, where soldiers would monitor the wild south coast of Britain as part of the Chain Home Network. Fast forward to today, however, and the location provides the drama: the old bunker, surrounded by SSSI conservation land, is hidden under the trees and among the steep slopes of Undercliff, a vast semi-rural landscape stretching five miles. From here, the views of the English Channel and Europe beyond are simply breathtaking – come rain or shine.
The three-bedroom house is the brainchild of architect Lincoln Miles and his artist partner, Lisa Traxler. Using the existing sand-coloured bunker and blast wall as a starting point, they have extended it by adding a second contemporary structure. This part of the home has been built predominately from fibre-cement concrete, glazing and Richlite (a wood-like material made from recycled paper, which can resist the coastal elements). Note the building’s graphic cut-outs and patterns: Lisa drew inspiration from the dazzle motifs created for ships by the marine artist Norman Wilkinson, designed to confuse German U-boats – a notable homage to the heritage of the house. Artists and creatives rejoice: there is also a pair of Nissen huts on site, which have been repurposed as studios.
The interior spaces, spanning 3,000sq ft, feel equally atmospheric, thanks to their stripped-back schemes and use of raw materials – namely concrete, wood, breezeblocks and aluminium. The open-plan kitchen is a highlight and features a worktop that has also been cast in Lisa’s graphic patterns, resulting in a cool sense of cohesion with the exterior. From here, a curved concrete staircase leads down to the double-height living space, with large windows that provide views of both the sea and lush fields often dotted with sheep. But perhaps the most brilliant part is the converted bunker itself, which is now a cave-like gallery and events space. We can already imagine the fun that could be had hosting here, from moody candle-lit dinners to large lavish parties – the question is, can you?
RELATED ON THE MODERN HOUSE
Listing of the Week: a Norfolk beauty that ushers the natural world in
A family home in Hackney, lovingly tended inside and out
Zen and the art of mindset maintenance in a former warehouse in east London
A duo’s dramatic warehouse conversion hidden in west London
Inside two carbon-negative zero-waste homes in Walthamstow
Skye’s the limit at this home in a serene settlement in the Scottish Highlands
An apartment with star quality in a converted recording studio in west London
A mid-century marvel in Stafford that stands the test of time
A hotel with staying power overlooking the Atlantic in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland
A mid-century gem among the treetops on the Dulwich Estate in Crystal Palace