Dream House | Strawberry Fields abode stirs deep emotion

In all the years of designing and building, I have long come to appreciate one profound observation: The very location of a house, any house, in its own extraordinary natural setting, can stir intense emotions and elicit tears of happiness more than the most expensive and elaborate residences by themselves ever could.

In fact, I go further — employ the wonders of the natural world in your house designs, and reap the psychological, emotional and physical benefits that shadow it.

This home, found in Strawberry Fields, Robins Bay, in the parish of St Mary, exemplifies how a mind-blowing geographical location can truly magnify the beauty of a building within its domain.

Finding it is almost impossible. Located in a mostly uninhabited part of Jamaica, projecting out into the sea, whose actual existence has you in utter disbelief! The adventure begins with an expedition on rough roads conveying you through green wilderness and mountain scenery, eventually ending at the seafront. Here, geological activity has produced striking rock formations jutting out of the seafloor — sculptured by thousands of years of erosive wave and wind action.

On this remarkable coral private beach belonging to this three-quarters of an acre property, refreshment to the human spirit is assured.

The ineffable 2,000-square-foot abode (with its mezzanine level) embraces the waterfront with its wood shingle roofs (punctured by glass openings); sliding glass doors (taking in all the seaview it possibly can); guango wood floors; all-white painted walls, etc. It has five lovely bedrooms, bathrooms, a lounge, and office areas. The kitchen, with poplar wood cabinetry and granite counters, has a grand centre island, with living and dining areas leading unto a viewing terrace, sandwiched delicately between a sparkling swimming pool and an outdoor stone-built barbecue grill.

The unpretentious, pacifying interiors are deliberately furnished sparsely with locally crafted pieces alongside artworks collected from Jamaica, Ghana, Cambodia, Namibia, and Papua New Guinea — all the places where the owner has worked and lived.

A rustic beach bar for thirst-quenching moments augments a thatched-roof gazebo (with hammock). A firepit keeps the romance alive by the sea, and a short hike leads to a secret waterfall.

This property takes the protection of the environment seriously, with solar power energy systems and rainwater harvesting (collection and storage of rain).

Born in Bath, England, Bruce Kidner, who works internationally with breweries, came to Jamaica and worked for five years with Red Stripe. This is the country chosen, where he has planted his roots and built his dream.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com .