The Cabin sits above Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower peninsula, and it was the project that started our working relationship with Green’s Construction. We were introduced by RJA Architects, another of our valued relations, who brought the team together for what would become one of our favourite schemes to date.
When we first visited, the site was little more than a patch of brambles. But with that view in front of us, it was not difficult to imagine what it could become. We knew the architecture, the materials and the setting would do most of the talking, and that the lighting needed to support all three rather than compete with them.
Key points
- 1W Faltu micro uplights graze the Carpenter Oak frame, revealing the timber without showing the source.
- The kitchen is lit in layers: concealed purlin spotlights for task, floor washers and joinery LED tape for accent.
- Exterior lighting was kept deliberately low level and submitted to the council for review, protecting views across Three Cliffs Bay.
- A Dynalite control system delivers scenes tailored to how the clients actually use the house, programmed on site by Lightmaster.
- The project marked the start of our ongoing relationship with Green’s Construction and RJA Architects.
Lighting that celebrates the oak frame
One of the defining features of The Cabin is its oak structure by Carpenter Oak. With craftsmanship of that quality, the brief for the lighting was simple: reveal the timber, stay out of the way.
Our Faltu micro uplights proved the perfect solution. At just 1W each, they provide enough output to graze the oak and bring the grain to life, while remaining almost invisible within the space. Grazing works because the light is placed close to the surface and thrown along it, so every ridge, peg and tool mark casts its own small shadow. Push the fitting further out and the same timber flattens.
The result is a warm, discreet glow that highlights the joinery without drawing attention to the source. That is Effect lighting in our GATE framework, the layer that gives a room its character once the General, Accent and Task layers have done their work.
A little bit of decorative lighting magic
We first came across the Occhio Mito Volo pendant at a Milan design show and knew straight away that it belonged in The Cabin. Its modern, understated form sits comfortably against the natural materials of the space.
Two pendants hang at staggered heights above the dining table, creating a focal point without blocking the view through the glazing. And of course, we could not resist the added bonus of touchless gesture control and adjustable colour temperature. Warmer settings suit a long evening meal, cooler settings suit the table when it is being used for anything other than dinner. Because who does not love a good lighting party trick?
Making the kitchen shine
The kitchen, designed and built by Green’s Carpentry, deserved just as much attention. Rather than flooding the space with downlights, we used a combination of discreet layers to build atmosphere.
Small spotlights are concealed between the purlins, casting task light onto the cupboard doors and worktops. Floor washers and LED tape integrated into the joinery provide gentle accent lighting at low level, so the units appear to float rather than sit heavily on the floor.
Seen from the other end of the open plan living space, these details draw the eye towards the kitchen without making it feel bright. It is a good example of how lighting can quietly define separate zones within a single volume, doing the job that walls would otherwise have to do.
Extending the view outside
With so much glazing throughout The Cabin, the exterior lighting mattered as much as anything happening indoors. Unlit glass at night behaves like a black mirror, reflecting the room back at you and stopping the space at the window line. Put something soft outside and the eye travels through, so the living space feels as though it continues into the landscape.
The setting at Three Cliffs Bay is a sensitive one. Gower was designated in 1956 as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK, now known as a National Landscape, and the exterior scheme had to be discreet and respectful of it. We submitted a lighting plan to the council so the approach could be reviewed, particularly around protecting views and limiting any impact on the surrounding area.
We used our Wanatoobee range to create soft pools of light across the cladded walls and within the surrounding shrubbery. For the larger trees, a handful of slightly brighter Hunza spotlights add depth and draw the planting into the view without overpowering it. Wanatoobee micro wall lights provide just enough guidance along the beach path, kept deliberately low level so that neighbouring views are undisturbed.
Every fitting is aimed downwards or into a surface rather than up into the sky, which is the single most effective way to keep spill and skyglow under control on a coastal plot. Rather than lighting the landscape for the sake of it, each position was chosen with a purpose, creating just enough glow to enjoy the setting after dark while letting the natural environment remain the star.
Lighting control
Behind most of the lighting at The Cabin is a Dynalite control system, giving the client flexibility through scenes set at the touch of a button. Lightmaster returned to the property once the build was complete to program each scene and check everything behaved as intended, which is the stage where a scheme either comes together or does not.
The designer planned each button, and its engraving, by working with the client to understand how they would actually use the space day to day. Relaxing in the evening, entertaining, cooking, or simply sitting and enjoying the view: the switch functions were built around their lifestyle rather than around the circuit schedule. A scene labelled “Evening” is far more useful than four separate dimmers that nobody remembers the order of.
The switches themselves have a modern but timeless aesthetic and sit comfortably within the interiors.
The Cabin at a glance
| Location | Penmaen, Gower, Wales, overlooking Three Cliffs Bay |
| Project type | New build oak frame home, residential |
| Contractor | Green’s Construction, kitchen by Green’s Carpentry |
| Architect | RJA Architects |
| Oak frame | Carpenter Oak |
| Key fittings | Faltu 1W micro uplights, Occhio Mito Volo pendants, Wanatoobee exterior range, Wanatoobee micro wall lights, Hunza spotlights |
| Control system | Dynalite, scene programming by Lightmaster on site |
| Planning | Exterior lighting plan submitted to the local authority |
A project to remember
The Cabin is a project we are incredibly proud of. It shows how lighting can work alongside exceptional architecture and craftsmanship, enhancing the materials and creating atmosphere rather than simply making the rooms bright.
What makes it more special is the collaboration behind it. Working alongside Green’s, RJA Architects, Carpenter Oak and such open minded clients made the whole process enjoyable.
And as it turns out, The Cabin was only the beginning of our relationship with Green’s. What started as a patch of brambles above Three Cliffs Bay has grown into a fantastic working relationship, and we could not be happier about it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you light an oak frame without spoiling it?
Graze it. Position low output uplights close to the base of the posts and beams so the light travels along the timber rather than hitting it head on. Low wattage fittings of around 1W are usually enough indoors, and the fitting itself should be small enough to disappear against the floor or joinery.
Why does exterior lighting matter so much in a house with large windows?
Glass with nothing behind it becomes a mirror after dark, so a room with a spectacular view can feel closed in at night. A small amount of light on planting, walls or trees outside pushes that boundary back and keeps the view working in the evening.
Can you light a garden in a protected landscape?
Yes, with care. The approach is to keep levels low, aim light downwards or into a surface, avoid uplighting into open sky and use warm colour temperatures. On sensitive sites it is worth submitting a lighting plan to the local authority so the scheme can be reviewed before installation.
What does a lighting control system add to a home like this?
It turns a large number of circuits into a handful of usable choices. Instead of remembering which dimmer does what, the client presses one engraved button for the scene they want. It also allows exterior lighting to be set at a genuinely low level and left there.
Do you work outside the Cotswolds?
We do. Our design teams work from the Cotswolds and Devon, and we deliver residential and heritage projects across the UK, including coastal projects like this one in Wales.
If you are planning a new build, a barn conversion or an oak frame home and want the lighting considered properly from the start, take a look at our lighting design process or get in touch with the studio.
