If you are looking for a plot of land to build your contemporary dream forever home on, a hillside might not initially be your first choice, but to achieve an amazing, sweeping view from most windows it should be your only choice.
With the expertise of a creative and experienced architect, a plot of land on a slope can become the most incredible home in the area, with the dream chance to design from scratch and create an abode that totally optimises and utilises the elevated position becoming a reality.
And this perfect Pembrokeshire match made in property heaven called Ty'r Arfordir is the result of such a collaboration so successful that the dream home born on a sea view hillside has featured in Build It magazine and the Channel 4 property series Building the Dream, according to the estate agent now selling this stunning, coastal home.
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The home hugs the hillside above the pretty coastal village of Goodwick, and from multiple special spots inside and out, this home reveals breath-taking views across the rooftops to the crystal clear water and stunning sandy beaches of Cardigan Bay beyond.
The home was created by an architect practice that is not new to having their bespoke designs featured on television, having appeared on Grand Designs with their east Devon home nick-named the 'Miami Beach House' and then again with the 'Hux Shard' house on the fringes of Exeter, Devon.
But this delightful home is firmly nestled into the Welsh landscape at a site that included a steep slope, solid rock and running water, but the team at Squirrel Design were up for the challenge of turning the elevated plot of land into a dream home that elevated the level of bespoke design in the area to new heights.
The house was completed in 2012 which proves that exceptional design is timeless. Of course, the position of the property is the key to this design, with Squirrel Design stating that some views demand a magnificent view and so the connection this panoramic vista was at the very core of their design.
The solution to the hillside was a graded design of three floors, each pushed backwards to create more space and constructed using lateral steel beams.
Although the solid rock composition of the site was another challenge, the team at Squirrel sunk their teeth into the project and have created for the lucky owners a 'serene dwelling, all year round'.
Standing on the driveway with the three-tier triumph looming above you, the multitude of windows and the huge, over-hanging balcony are the immediate features that elevate the excitement levels to overload.
On the ground floor you will find a number of functional spaces squirreled away, quite rightly not stealing any space from the showcases spaces above; the garage, a plant room and a cloakroom.
Climb the stairs to the first floor and it immediately becomes apparent that the house is an upside-down home, with the majority of the bedrooms on this first floor to allow the second floor to optimise the connection to the view from its top spot.
This level has three bedrooms, one of them ensuite, plus a family bathroom and a bonus store room that again helps to offer storage to the homeowners to keep the clutter in the open spaces to a bare minimum.
All three bedrooms are, of course, front facing to directly connect to the view and all bathrooms are luxury standard that continues the contemporary yet inviting, stylish and personal interior design this home offers throughout.
As you turn the corner on the first floor landing at the top of the stairs or when descending down the stairs from the second floor, surely you never grow tired of seeing the view fully and perfectly framed by the huge, precision placed window?
This bonus addition transforms this space usually reserved for the flow of human traffic within the house into a special spot to linger and admire the landscape as it stretches out to its ocean horizon. Pop a chair there and it might be hours before you can break your gaze towards the view that is surely mesmerising you.
Then another stair climb gets you to the top of the home, and the reception room up here will disarm you immediately with its sensational open-plan living area that, of course, is designed to be seamlessly connected to the view via a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors out to the large balcony.
The open-plan room combines living, dining and cooking in a space that is befitting a glossy magazine or, indeed, a dream home TV programme.
The stunning kitchen zone in the rear corner of the room has a design that provides workspace that protrudes width ways, meaning when you're chopping the carrots or beating the eggs, you are accompanied and surely distracted by the direct sightline to the absorbing view.
The kitchen is, of course, not the only space to be overwhelmed by the vista. The lounge area has a contemporary fireplace and a large TV, no doubt showing repeats of Building the Dream, but although these are popular features they are dwarfed in comparison to the expansive view that rushes in via the wall of glass; no wonder the sofa is facing towards it.
The far corner of the room is another design masterpiece, a space cocooned with glass as the front window is joined by a side window to create a view that bends around the space rather than just the 'flat' option of one window facing frontwards. Dining here almost feels like you are floating out into the view between mouthfuls.
This attention to detail by adding an extra window at the corners of the house to provide a connected dual aspect of the view, and an extra angle of the vista to enjoy, is repeated in other rooms such as the master bedroom and two of the first floor bedrooms - a genius addition to an already remarkable home.
The balcony is, of course, the ever-present temptation to step out and dive into that outstanding view that defines this house as extra special. It's large enough for a party, small enough to feel intimate and to not overwhelm the proportions of the house as a whole composition; it's a balcony made for Goldilocks, it's just right.
The balcony design is also perfect for the occupant of the master bedroom found on this floor because this slumber space has direct access to the balcony too, so a sunshine, super special shot of that view is the best daily wake-up call anyone could wish for.
The design of the house has created a gently sloping ceiling at the front of this top level, mimicking and reminding you of the home's hillside position. This has created extra high spaces that make each room that shares the design very spacious and light; not that this home needs help to invite in the light, the plethora of windows easily ensures light is forever flooding into this forever family home.
This second floor also has an office, utility room and separate cloakroom to add extra functionality to this show-stopping level, plus an intriguing door to the outside world at the rear of the home.
The main event on the outside of this property might be happening at the front of the house, but the rear of this home has not been forgotten.
Out here, the slope has been easily dealt with via a number of levels to the garden, from the spacious decked terrace directly connected to the house to the next level up of lawn, shrubs and flowerbeds.
But eventually, and inevitably, you will be compelled to wander back inside and to the front of the house and be flawed once more by the glorious view over Goodwick and the Pembrokeshire coastline that is the constant and welcome companion to this special home. And who could blame you for that?
Ty'r Arfordir is on the market for £875,000 with estate agent John Francis, call their Fishguard branch on 01348 380029 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent to your inbox twice a week.
