The other day at nearby Dungeness, I wandered off the main road to walk down to the sea and was intrigued by what looked like the reflection of a railway carriage in the windows of this new modern house….
As I drew nearer, it became clear that it was not a reflection, but an old carriage itself, encased inside a slick architectural exterior…
There are many old railway carriage houses on the beach at Dungeness – some restored, some incorporated into new homes and some still very much as they were when first pressed into use as homes for the fishermen who still go out to fish each day from this extraordinary place. I enjoy looking at them whenever we visit, torn between my natural curiosity – especially as the owner of another railway carriage house – and the feeling that I should respect others’ privacy. But I had never seen anything like this, and felt I had to take a closer peek. The original carriage, stripped back to the remains of its original livery, now seems to house a state-of-the-art modern kitchen in the heart of this very smart contemporary home. The old paintwork makes a striking contrast with the minimalist furniture.
An architect had to be involved, of course… and it came as no surprise when doing my research later that night to find that it is the work of Simon Conder, the designer responsible for the equally eye-catching black ‘Rubber House’ just a few hundred yards down the shingle, with its distinctive dark exterior and similar expanse of glass and timber deck looking out to sea.
For more on the railway carriage house and Simon Conder’s other projects, see his website. Here is view of the seaward-facing side of the house (which is hidden to travellers along the road by car or by foot)…
…. here is the sweeping side view…
… and here is the splendidly curvaceous front that the house displays to the road… What a contrast to its un-reconstructed neighbours on either side!
Though I was fascinated by this house, I couldn’t imagine living in it. Like many such smart re-furbishments of the fishermen’s cottages at Dungeness, it has been designed as a weekend or holiday home rather than somewhere to live day in, day out, year-round, with a family in tow. For a start, where would they put all of their stuff? We have had our share of discussions and design sessions with architects over the years that we have owned our railway carriage house – and have twice gone to the planners with what I would call “architect-y” schemes, one of which stretched a flat modernist roof right over the carriages (shades of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion circa 1929) and one of which raised the rear carriage up in the air to create an enormous open plan living space beneath. As it happened, the first plan was refused and the second turned out too expensive (more than twice our budget), but that’s a different story, and has already been documented here. In the end, we were left more or less to our own devices, and a design cooked up by ourselves and our brilliant local builders. The resulting house, the creation of which I’ve documented on this blog, is much less of a design statement – and certainly less sleek than the new building I saw at Dungeness. It’s an unassuming, organic structure, which evolved in response to how we live in it, how the light falls and moves throughout the day, a building that respects the original carriages while not making museum exhibits out of them. And it’s a home – and a much-loved one at that. I returned home happy with the decisions we have made, and grateful for such a unique and lovely place to live.
And I’m not the only one who thinks so… thank goodness…. even if her bedroom is a little on the small side…
Time for bed now myself. Night night.
x
For more on the story of the building of our house, my garden writing, other journalism and information on my books, please visit my website.
The paperback edition of 
.
Lovely though it is, I prefer your approach. In Sri Lanka, there’s a majestic old railway carriage that is a cricket pavilion, with a deep deep verandah in front of it, and over its roof … it’s beautifully painted, as if it was just going to join the 11.30 to Kandy – much loved, just like yours
Joanna
I agree with you. If I had my time again, I would train as an architect, but not the glass and steel variety. Making spaces workable is an art (I think that women can be better at this – I know, sexist!)), and that must be the priority.
I also dislike spaces that only work providing no one puts any furniture, fabric, vases or books, and make future changes in lifestyle difficult! In effect they are making extremely expensive works of art.
I must admit – I often look through glossy interiors shots and the only thing I can think is – “where’s all the stuff”. It’s the difference between a house and a home!
I must also admit that, having collected interesting drift wood and almost always ended up putting it out in the garden – I can’t help wondering how they got rid of the salty fishy seaswept smell of the old carriage which must have absorbed so much weather in it’s lifetime – or perhaps, when they arrive at their neat little weekend pod, they have to begin by opening all the doors to relieve the smell! What a funny thought that is! t.x
What an interesting place!! i wouldn’t want to live there though x
im a great fan of mdoernist confection but this one does look a little severe, maybe its the location, for that blasted corner of sussex deserves all the cosiness one can muster. will have to pay a visit when the opportunity strikes. no doubt all the stuff is in the adjoining lean too. . .
What a delight to read about your being able to join what you want to do with what you have to do, and making a meaningful life of it all. I’ll be following your story, as I see many others do.
Very strange idea, it feels to me like a prison for this poor carriage who does not deserve to be hidden away! And a show piece, love yours much much more, it has a soul and life in it, amitié martine
Looking at the architect designed beach homes is wonderful – but the only one that looks like home is yours!!! I really think you have created something special. My one and only past ‘building’ foray was a loft conversion – and I was happier letting the builder use my designs with his building regs knowledge, than the fancy designs (and price) of the architect. BTW, the Defender sailed through it’s MOT. Ill be advertising it shortly, but if you’re still int, do you want to email me? Boo x
I have been visiting Dungeness for many years since I was a small child and I’ve always been drawn to it’s desolate windswept beauty, and the small wooden houses peppered around the shingle, many cleverly incorporating these old railway carriages. It makes me sad to see how the local fishing families are fast disappearing as these smart new weekend homes go up. Your home, which honours it’s origins, and sits comfortably in the landscape would get my vote every time!!
Also just read through your older posting about the Baie de Somme – we have often stayed in Le Crotoy across the bay from St Valery, there is a wonderful hotel which is done up like a beach house inside with glorious views across the bay
http://www.lestourelles.com/visite.php
one day I’ll get to Dungeness……
The Easter preparations look fabulous.
Can’t wait to check the book out! Good luck with it all!
pen