Hesperides House

Private villa, 385 sq m

Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

Aerial photo of Hesperides House. The deck on the shoreline provides a spot with an unbroken view across the ocean

At Coast Architects Matt was senior project architect for this five-bedroom villa in the south-west of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Named after a beautiful garden located at the western end of the world from Greek mythology and the nymphs of sunset who tended it, Hesperides House is designed to take full advantage of the ocean views that come with its location.

It is comprised of three separate buildings which together form a variety of connected internal and external spaces both communal and intimate. A framed formal entrance leads into a large open plan living and dining space which in turn extends through into the covered outdoor living area and swimming pool deck beyond. The buildings are laid out to shelter the central exterior area on the ocean side from the steady prevailing winds and the sun, and to create an enclosed courtyard garden to the rear. Architecturally it is partly embedded within and partly proud of the ironshore rock on which it sits, integrating with the site further with a progression of retained planting and new formal planters. This same planting is paired with extensive pergola elements to reduce the solar energy hitting the building and windows. Warm, natural materials are used throughout, matching a light grey limestone with light oak and cedar and a local stone-clad wall framing the entrance.

The villa utilises the large amount of sunshine that hits the Turks and Caicos Islands by using solar panels to provide hot water to the house and heat the swimming pool. Rainwater is harvested to a cistern beneath one of the rear bedroom.

In addition to designing the villa and monitoring its construction on site, Matt led the interior design, working with Design Studio to inhabit the house with a relaxed contemporary style.

Design copyright Coast Architects
Photography by Provo Pictures

The entrance — The formal entrance is lined to one side in local stone

The external deck area, viewed from the living room across the deck and pool to the ocean — The view from the living room

Photo of the external deck area, looking back at the house — The external deck area features both a sheltered living and dining area as well as open and pool-side seating

Photo of the master bedroom — Views from the master bedroom across the Caicos Bank to the south and west

Photo of the sheltered garden area — The sheltered garden area provides a secluded and secure external space

Photo of Hesperides House at nighttime — The view of Hesperides House across the pool at night