Designed by Ström Architects and completed in 2016, this contemporary style home offers a masterclass in simplicity and thoughtful design. Led by architects Magnus Ström and Emma Ward-Lambert, the practice has become known for creating sensitive and elegant architecture, and this house in Swanage, UK is no exception.

Overlooking Durlston Country Park, the property may have a questionable name—“The Quest”—but everything else about the home is a triumph of modern design.

The layout is simple yet striking, with subtle features that reveal themselves upon closer inspection. One of the most distinctive details is how the floor mirrors the roof when viewed externally. A consistent band of white and grey runs across the façade, uniting both levels with a line of floor-to-ceiling windows framed by structural elements and wood panelling.

The single-storey residence cantilevers over a lower driveway, providing a covered parking area while maintaining the home’s clean lines. A discreet set of steps links the two levels, demonstrating Ström’s ability to balance function and elegance.

Every aspect of this contemporary house design was shaped by the landscape. Built on a sloping site with mature protected trees, the design cleverly incorporates a pre-existing retaining wall to conceal the driveway and preserve uninterrupted views of the valley. Landscaping by Ross Allan Designs enhances this natural harmony, using carefully selected plants to avoid blocking the façade while accentuating the tall trees surrounding the property.

Hardscaping, too, has been approached with restraint. The retaining wall, built from local Purbeck stone, is both practical and beautiful, blending into the setting while providing durability for decades to come.

As Ström Architects put it, this modern home “exemplifies our belief that simplicity and honesty of construction underlie good design.” In both statement and execution, the house captures the essence of contemporary architecture in the UK—minimal, sensitive, and timeless.