This exceptionally bright six-bedroom modern house in Brighton was designed by the leading architectural practice, Denizen Works, in 2020. The building was designed to optimise the far-reaching and ever-changing sea views, with expansive glazing ensuring the house is in constant communication with the landscaped gardens and the English Channel. A series of incredibly bright, open-plan living spaces of over 4,070 sqft extend across three storeys, characterised by clean, linear forms and a pared-back material palette. Roedean Road is set in a coveted location overlooking Brighton Marina, ideal for easy access to the South Downs, the coast and Kemptown.

The Architect

Denizen Works was founded by Murray Kerr in 2011. It was conceived as a collaborative studio to develop projects of different scales and types based on an understanding of place. Since its inception, the studio has designed a wide range of projects, from a mobile sauna in Finland to concept designs for a mountaineer’s tea house in the shadows of Everest.

The studio won the Stephen Lawrence Prize in 2014 for House No.7 on the Isle of Tiree and has since been published worldwide; it is now part of the Scottish Government’s Exemplar Design Scheme. Denizen Works was also included in the Architecture Foundation’s ‘New Architects 3’ book, recognising the best 100 practices established within the last decade, and, more recently, in the C20 Society’s latest publication, ‘100 Years, 100 Houses’ which showcases the best 100 houses in Britain from 1916 to the present day.

The Tour

Shou Sugi Ban Japanese timber and terracotta tiles form a striking façade, and the primary entrance is via a solid-timber pivot door at ground level. This leads to a beautifully light double-height entrance hall that creates a welcoming introduction. Storage has been built into clean lines of bespoke joinery, and terrazzo tiles line the floor.

Impressive sea views from the primary living space create immediate impact; this is a wonderfully bright, versatile space where daily life meets good design. Facing south, the expansive glazing invites an excellent quality of natural light and warmth throughout the day. Vitsoe shelving runs the length of the wall (available by separate negotiation), and the sliding glass doors opens this entire room onto the terrace and garden in warmer months.

A central island delineates the kitchen, which has been beautifully designed with the practicalities of daily life in mind. Set to one side, custom-built joinery of blackened oak has been crafted by local carpenters to provide floor-to-ceiling storage areas, neatly housing the appliances. A utility space is interconnected, next to a ground-floor cloak and shower room, finished in bespoke tiling and Vola and Cielo sanitaryware.

On the westerly side of the ground floor lies a more intimate room, which would make an ideal study or quiet space for music or homeworking. Natural light filters through an internal window and allows a view to the sea from here also.

Ascending the bespoke timber staircase, the first floor is given over to five generously proportioned bedrooms, three facing south and opening onto the wide balcony, which runs the length of the rear façade. Each bedroom has been carefully finished with a sense of craft and finesse, with plenty of storage. Oak flooring runs throughout, creating a pleasing aesthetic continuity. Three bathrooms on this level serve the bedrooms.

The main bedroom suite spans the entire second-storey. Realised in a palette of soothing colours, it is a softly lit, peaceful space to retreat to. Facing south, the upper balcony optimises the impressive sea views which reach as far as the Isle of Wight on a clear day. An interconnected dressing room is fitted with floor-to-ceiling handmade cabinetry, and the en suite bathroom, finished in marble and Vola fittings, features both a walk-in shower and a slipper bath overlooking the sea.

Full-height storage rooms purposefully utilise the voids in the eaves.

A gated driveway means there is a generous amount of private off-street parking alongside the large double garage. An air-source heat pump ensures efficiency, alongside zoned underfloor heating, powered by renewable energy.

Outdoor Space

A large south-facing terrazzo terrace forms a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces; an inviting pavilion for both summer lunches and for watching the sailing and fishing boats coming in and out of the harbour over an early evening sundowner.

Herbaceous beds border wide expanses of lawn to provide changing pops of colour and interest throughout the seasons, while specimen trees and mature shrubs add structure, shade and privacy.

The Area

With the sea in front and the countryside behind, Roedean Road is ideally placed for easy access to the beach and the marina, reachable on foot within a few minutes. East Brighton golf course is directly behind the house, as are the South Downs for mountain biking and walking.

Roedean is close to Kemptown, known for its cafes and delis, bars and pubs, and independent shops, including an old-style hardware store, Brampton’s butchers and an array of vintage and antique stores. The Open Bakery sells freshly baked bread and pastries along with brilliant coffee. It also runs baking courses on Sundays. Busby & Wilds and The Ivy offer great options for dinner, with more award-winning independent and traditional restaurants in Brighton’s centre. There is also Brighton Beach House, part of the Soho House Group.

The area is well-renowned for excellent schooling options; Brighton College, with its prep and award-winning senior school (awarded School of the Decade), is within walking distance, as is the much-revered Roedean girls. St Margarets’s CofE, Our Lady of Lourdes RC primary schools, are in the catchment area, alongside Cardinal Newman RC secondary schooling.

The train station is easily reached by bicycle in around 12 minutes. Direct services from Brighton to London London run regularly, with journey times of around 50 minutes. There are also fast links to Gatwick airport and the A23 and A27 are both readily accessible.

Council Tax Band: G

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.