A bright future could be on the cards for an iconic house on the Isle of Wight recently sold after a landslide.

Here we look at the past, present and future of Haddon Lake House in St Lawrence and speak to those involved in creating and preserving it.

The two acre grounds were formerly part of the pleasure grounds of Old Park, a Victorian mansion dating back to the 1820s.

Early last century, the site fell into disuse and saw periods of decline and restoration ever since.

Phillippa and Steve Lambert at Haddon Lake House in St LawrencePhillippa and Steve Lambert at Haddon Lake House in St Lawrence (Image: Phillippa and Steve Lambert) Scroll through the photos above

In 2002 permission was granted to landscape designer Phillippa Lambert and architectural illustrator Steve Lambert for the building of a contemporary house on the lake site, on the proviso the landscape be restored to its full glory.

The house followed in 2005, designed by Michael Rainey. It was a self-build contemporary ‘boathouse’ with Japanese influences, that decks out over its third-acre lake and appears to float on the water.

Haddon Lake House, which soon became known as one of the Island's iconic contemporary homes, was shortlisted in the Grand Designs awards in 2006, and has since won two awards for its green architecture.

Many television programmes and magazine articles followed, including a feature on Channel 4's George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

The landscape restoration included the careful reinstatement of the early Victorian walled kitchen garden, and a contemporary Japanese influenced courtyard that acts as a cool contrast, with adjacent semitropical borders.

The reinstatement of the one-third acre lake, enhanced with a gravity fed fountain, and of the adjoining woodland, completed the restoration.

Phillippa said: "We have lived a dream life here and feel privileged to have had a once in a lifetime chance to create this special environment.

"The ambition for us has always been a simple and quiet life, made possible by a wonderful architectural design in a unique setting.

"Over the years we have shared the garden with other people who want to visit, by hosting charity events, and I understand many who know Haddon Lake House gardens will have been saddened by recent events."

While the Undercliff geology has created a plant paradise, the unique landscape also brings with it a tendency to instability, as was seen in March when land movement caused silt to be pushed up into the lake, disrupting the lakeside planting.

It had always been the couple's ambition to undertake another unique self-build and the house was about to go on the market in April for just under £2m.

The landslip meant the Lamberts instead took a "remarkable" insurance payout and additionally sold the house at close to its guide price of £700,000.

Phillippa said: "We are people who like to create and build. We have had the pleasure of Haddon Lake House and now it is our turn to hand it on to someone whose life will be transformed by its magic, in the way ours has been.

"A new off-grid build beckons for us that will push the eco-envelope just a little bit further. We have not yet found a plot but trust in the notion that, through life, when we have jumped, a safety net has appeared!" 

Steve said: "We had thought that the loss in value resulting from the March land movement would leave us unable to proceed with our plans, however we are back on track thanks to exceptional help we received from two companies.

"Karl Dimmock of MSS Claims, who handled the insurance claim, and achieved a remarkable settlement, while Robert Marchant of Clive Emson Auctioneers made sure, by his diligent work, that the house sold to its new owner at close to guide price.

"We are hugely delighted and grateful to all concerned that by this quirk of fate we are now in a better position than we would have been by selling the undamaged house in the normal way.

"We are looking forward to the future with confidence, seeking a site for the next ‘dream build’ and assured that Haddon Lake House will soon be back to its full glory." 

The new owner said: "Phillippa and Steve have created a small wonder. As future guardian of this unique place my intention would be to restore it to their original vision and attempt measures to prevent it suffering from misfortune again so it will always exist as they originally intended.

"It is a haven of peace, harmony and tranquillity, a sanctuary for myself and my family and one that it would be a pleasure to share with others in need of a time of quiet reflection and spiritual refreshment who might benefit from its enveloping calm."