Alex Michaelis, a 61-year-old architect known for his unconventional approach to sustainable design, has placed his distinctive Cornish beach house on the market for £2.5 million. Located on the southwest coast near Praa Sands, close to Penzance, the four-bedroom property, dubbed Little Cottage, was constructed in 2009 by Michaelis and his wife Susanna to replace a 15th-century structure.

The home exemplifies Michaelis’s signature style, blending elements of medieval castles, lighthouses, and modernist influences to create a building that is both visually striking and environmentally conscious. Despite its eclectic appearance, the design prioritizes panoramic views of the sea. The property features a spacious open-plan living area measuring roughly 50 feet, incorporating a living room, kitchen, and dining space with expansive windows and a fireplace alongside a wood-burning stove sourced from a client.

All bedrooms overlook the ocean, with bathrooms designed to offer views even when soaking in the bath. Some windows in the structure are shaped like narrow arrow slits, arranged around a stair turret to provide framed glimpses of the coastal scenery as occupants move between floors. Michaelis described this configuration as allowing privacy even when one is unclothed while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.

The house incorporates many sustainable features, such as an air source heat pump, solar panels, and underfloor heating on the ground floor. Its flat roof is partially covered in a living green roof planted by the family, inspired by architect Le Corbusier’s philosophy of restoring land atop built structures. This roof supports native plants brought in by natural seeds and changes color with the seasons, providing insulation and blending the building with its natural surroundings.

Constructed with cedar, limestone, and timber, Little Cottage reflects a deep engagement with natural materials. A circular rooflight inspired by seashell spirals crowns the sculptural staircase, which ascends through the height of the building. The family has enjoyed the seaside retreat for 16 years, appreciating the dramatic coastal weather and marine wildlife such as seals and dolphins.

Financially, the couple estimates that the site cost £550,000, with construction expenses initially cited around £600,000 but more accurately exceeding £1 million, according to Susanna Michaelis. The property is positioned roughly 30 meters from soft cliffs that have experienced some erosion, including a notable 750mm retreat after a 2013 storm. Michaelis and neighboring homeowners have undertaken surveys to explore the possibility of installing rock armour to mitigate further cliff erosion.

Despite this risk, Michaelis expressed a desire to witness nature’s unpredictable forces, commenting on the prospect of a storm dramatically reshaping the site. The decision to sell the property comes as the couple focuses on their new Gloucestershire home, known as Leaf House, which they describe as more practical given their children’s ages—ranging from 16 to 27—and a desire to consolidate their assets and reduce financial complexity.

Michaelis and his wife also own a prominent London home and operate the architecture firm Michaelis Boyd, known for projects including Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds and developments at Battersea Power Station in London. Susanna, an art consultant, plays an active role in choosing materials and lighting for their projects.

While Little Cottage is now on the market, the couple acknowledges the emotional attachment they have to the property. “If money were no object, we would keep this house,” Susanna said, highlighting the tension between idealism and practicality that has accompanied their pioneering architectural ventures.