Jewel Purpose

Emma Morris designs a beach house for her parents David and Lien Morris – their first architectural home and one they share with extended family.

- David Morris

“We bought the section 10 years ago and I said to Emma, “It’s going to stay empty until you come back [from London] and we want you to design the house for us.” That was the understanding, everyone was totally delighted, and we then had to wait. But we were in no hurry, we wanted her to come back and take over, so that was fine.

Emma had gone from New York to London and was working there. Our other daughter Nina was also in London and then my son Paul eventually got there. At that stage, Emma’s information was by email and photographs and she would consult with Nina and Paul. We worked out quite quickly what we wanted because everyone had chipped in. Emma returned about five years ago and went up to the property, sniffed the wind, looked at the sun and got it all right. It was very straightforward because Emma is very straightforward. We very much left it to her – we weren’t the type of client to dominate.