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Secular Retreat: A Contemporary Architectural Haven in Devon

Perched on a secluded hillside in South Devon, between Salcombe and Hallsands, Secular Retreat is the first permanent building by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor in the UK, completed in 2019. The house is a meditation in materiality, light, and spatial orchestration, conceived to harmonise with the landscape rather than dominate it. Hand rammed concrete walls rise beneath a dramatic cantilevered roof, while Blue Lias stone floors, timber detailing in American cherry, pear, maple, and applewood, and bespoke furniture create an environment of considered calm. The approach to the house is as much part of the experience as the building itself; only as you follow the sweeping pathway does the full extent of the architecture reveal itself.

Arriving via a gently winding path, the retreat is partially concealed behind reinstated field boundaries. This choreography of approach gradually frames the experience, revealing the interplay of roof, wall, and landscape. Expansive glazed façades dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, capturing panoramic views of wooded river valleys, patchwork fields, and the distant coastline. Every frame, from the cantilevered overhangs to the smallest timber joinery, is designed to orchestrate moments of reflection.

Inside, open plan living, dining, and kitchen spaces flow effortlessly, filled with natural light that shifts across the day. Zumthor-designed furniture and lighting subtly guide the gaze: armchairs positioned to catch the progression of clouds and the sun setting over the valley, a semi hidden writing desk offering an intimate place for contemplation. The interiors balance restraint with warmth, with textures of timber and stone contrasting soft, considered furnishings.

Five generously proportioned bedrooms each feature full height glazing and en suite bathrooms, bringing the gardens and rolling landscape directly into the experience. Two bedroom wings protrude from the central living area, creating intimate zones with expansive views onto the garden and surrounding landscape. Direct access to terraces and exterior spaces provides versatile shooting positions, while the seamless flow between communal and private areas allows the house to function as both a contemplative retreat and a site for immersive creative work.