Architecture in Salcombe is shaped as much by environment as by aesthetics. We have completed various networking projects in this stunning town and know that the exposed coastal conditions, thick stone walls, and mixture of contemporary and heritage buildings all influence how spaces are designed and built. Increasingly, these same factors also affect how buildings connect, communicate, and adapt over time.
As digital connectivity becomes fundamental to how spaces are used, IT and network infrastructure is emerging as a quiet but critical design consideration - one that benefits from being addressed early, alongside structure, services, and material choices.
Coastal Context Changes the Rules
Unlike urban or inland projects, coastal buildings face a distinct set of environmental challenges. Salt‑laden air, higher humidity, driving rain, and fluctuating temperatures can all affect the longevity and reliability of technical infrastructure if it is not thoughtfully specified and located.
In Salcombe, where equipment is often housed in basements, plant rooms, or secondary spaces with limited ventilation, early planning allows architects to:
- Position network and communications equipment away from damp or corrosive environments
- Allow for appropriate airflow and access without impacting finished spaces
- Integrate containment routes that respect both structure and interior detailing
These considerations are far easier to resolve at concept or technical design stage than once finishes are complete.
Materials, Mass, and Connectivity
Solid stone walls, thick masonry, metal cladding, and high‑performance glazing—can all influence wireless performance in the South Hams. While these materials are integral to the character and durability of coastal buildings, they can unintentionally limit signal propagation if networks are treated as an afterthought.
Early coordination allows network layouts to respond to the building’s fabric rather than fight against it. This might mean discreet provision for access points, allowances for future cabling routes, or simply ensuring that connectivity requirements are understood alongside spatial planning.
The result is not technology on display, but buildings that function quietly and reliably.
Designing for Use, Not Just Completion
Many Salcombe properties are multi‑use: family homes, holiday lets, or seasonal commercial spaces. Patterns of occupation change, as do expectations around remote working, security, and digital services.
By embedding network infrastructure early, architects can help future occupants adapt without disruption and support:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Smart building systems added over time
- Upgrades without invasive alterations
This approach aligns naturally with sustainable design thinking: reducing future waste, avoiding unnecessary rework, and extending the useful life of the building.
Collaboration as Part of the Design Process
Considering IT and network infrastructure early encourages more integrated collaboration between architect, electrician, and specialist consultants. Rather than being introduced late as a problem to solve, connectivity becomes part of a coordinated technical strategy.
For architects, this often means fewer late‑stage compromises, fewer on‑site conflicts, and a smoother path from design intent to completed building.
In a place like Salcombe, good architecture responds not only to landscape and climate, but to how buildings will quietly support modern life.
By treating digital infrastructure as part of the design conversation from the outset, architects can create spaces that are resilient, adaptable, and well suited to their coastal setting - both now and in the years to come.