Ep 3. Coast

In "The World's Most Extraordinary Homes" season 1 episode 3, viewers are taken on a journey to explore some of the most remarkable coastal homes across the world. The episode provides a unique view of houses specifically designed to blend in with their natural surroundings while also providing luxurious living spaces.

The hosts, architect Piers Taylor and actress Caroline Quentin, start their tour in New Zealand, where they visit a stunning home built right by the ocean. The house is designed to withstand the region's harsh weather conditions while also providing a comfortable and modern living space. The structure incorporates glass and steel elements, which allow for breathtaking views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape. The hosts are impressed by how the house manages to stay functional despite its challenging location.

Next, the hosts visit a home in Norway built into a steep terrain overlooking the sea. The architects had to employ innovative techniques to build this ultra-modern house, mainly drilling into the rock and using steel reinforcement. The resulting structure is an elegant and minimalistic home that blends seamlessly with the dramatic surroundings. The hosts are impressed by the attention to detail, such as the orientation of the house to maximize natural light and the use of natural materials to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The episode then takes viewers to the United States, where they explore a beachside house that's also an engineering marvel. The structure was built on a sloping dune, which required the architects to use a combination of concrete and steel beams to support the weight of the building. The result is a house that seems to almost float above the ground, with staggering views of the ocean. The hosts marvel at the ingenuity of incorporating a hammock-like mesh that allows sand to run through, helping to anchor the structure in place.

The episode's final stop is in Australia, where the hosts visit a house located on the edge of a cliff. The unique structure, designed like a set of shelves, sits on the edge of a steep hill overlooking the ocean. The architects had to be creative in their use of materials, relying on timber and cedar weatherboards to create a warm and cozy feel, balancing the cold steel and glass elements. The hosts are impressed by the use of outdoor spaces, which allow the occupants to enjoy the stunning views while also staying protected from the harsh coastal winds.

Overall, episode 3 of "The World's Most Extraordinary Homes" allows viewers to venture across the globe and explore some of the most remarkable coastal homes, showcasing the beautiful and practical design techniques employed to create luxurious and comfortable living spaces in some of the most challenging environments on earth.