Modern architecture meets sea air and mountain backdrop in Newcastle

A stunning replacement dwelling on the County Down coast, encapsulating the views over the Irish Sea and of the Mourne Mountain designed by RHD Architects. Explore what makes a house a home – from light, comfort, and energy efficiency to personalisation and place.

Set along the coastal road in Newcastle, County Down, this striking three-storey family dwelling commands a remarkable presence while blending seamlessly into its setting. The house enjoys uninterrupted views across the Irish Sea to the front, with the dramatic backdrop of the Mourne Mountains rising behind. Designed as a replacement dwelling, it balances contemporary architecture with a sensitivity to its site, offering both privacy and openness in equal measure.

From the roadside, the home is defined by its crisp white rendered façade, animated with carefully considered window openings that frame the seascape beyond. A standing seam zinc mansard roof completes the composition, adding a refined edge to its modern form. Despite its bold architecture, the dwelling sits comfortably within its context, sheltered by a magnificent mature tree which provides scale, balance, and a sense of protection to the street elevation.

Inside, the ground floor is organised around a modest entrance hall that opens into a bright, expansive open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space. This heart of the home extends fluidly into the private rear garden and patio, a hidden outdoor retreat that captures the afternoon sun and offers long views toward the Mournes. The first floor accommodates a sea-view lounge, raised above the passing road, where the family can enjoy ever-changing coastal light and panoramic seascapes. Rising to the second floor, the master bedroom continues this theme, indulging in elevated coastal views that provide a sense of calm and retreat.

This dwelling achieves a careful balance between openness and enclosure, between boldness and restraint. It celebrates its spectacular surroundings while creating an intimate family environment. The combination of sea, mountains, and sky is ever-present, woven into the experience of daily life in a home that is at once contemporary, comfortable, and deeply rooted in its place.