L’Escargot
L’Escargot is a striking, spiral-shaped house set at the head of a wooded valley, offering dramatic views of the cliffs and sea. Its flowing form, curved lime-rendered walls, and sweeping slate roof combine inventive design with careful craftsmanship, creating a modern home that sits harmoniously within its natural surroundings.
- Category: residential
- Awards: Civic Trust Award 2003, Guernsey Design Awards 2001, runner-up RIBA Downland Prize 2002, shortlisted RIBA Manser Medal 2002, shortlisted RIBA Wessex, South West and Channel Islands Awards 2002.
Set at the head of a wooded valley with sweeping views to the cliffs and sea, L’Escargot is one of Guernsey’s most distinctive homes.
The house is formed as a free-flowing spiral in plan, echoing the shell of a snail. Curved, battered lime-rendered walls are punctuated by timber windows, and a sweeping slate roof follows the spiral as it rises to a central apex — a complex structure that required exceptional engineering and craftsmanship.
The steeply sloping site allows the main entrance and living spaces to occupy the upper floor, maximising views down the valley. The lower level, with a larger footprint, accommodates three bedrooms and a study and forms the base for an extended balcony deck off the main living space above.
A curved floating staircase with cantilevered glass treads leads to a high-level study platform overlooking the main room. The aesthetic is modern, minimalist and meticulously detailed, yet the building sits naturally within its wooded setting.