ARCHITECTURE
MODERN HOMES
RYE’S MARITIME
HISTORY FUSED WITH
CONTEMPORARY
DESIGN
Kebony combines beauty with sustainability for
redevelopment of protected site
L
ondon: 24 May 2016 JD Architects (JDA)
has recently completed its ambitious
redevelopment of Cinque Ports Street, the
1,050 sq. m. former Central Garage site in Rye.
Derelict for fourteen years, these buildings
have been given a new lease of life with a striking, angular
wooden façade made from Kebony. With its clever design
and sustainable focus, Cinque Ports Street was announced
as a winner at this year’s RIBA Regional South East Award.
unique aesthetic which delicately balances modern and
traditional aspects.
Prior to construction, significant archaeological digs and
studies were carried out to inform the design parameters
and avoid disruption to the remains of Rye’s medieval
town wall which runs through the site and is protected as
a scheduled ancient monument (SAM).
JDA wanted to create a modest design that emphasised
the clean lines of traditional maritime architecture and
incorporate a large amount of timber cladding, made from
beautiful dark-hued Kebony, the sustainable alternative to
tropical hardwood. This creates a dramatic outline on the
streetscape and the steep pitched roof that angles sharply
down at either side ensures the building matches the
Influenced by imagery of the town’s maritime heritage, the
transformed properties combine architectural elements
from the nearby shipyard warehouse as well as traditional
coastal architecture. The buildings, predominantly for
residential use but also containing two retail units at
ground floor draw on the town’s history to create a
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