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New House TomatinThis project involved the challenging design of a large family home on a very steep South West facing rural site. The critical issue to deal with was how to provide a generous amount of floor space on such a steep site, in an economic way, while retaining a well proportioned sense of scale appropriate to the location.A number of sketch layouts were proposed; these layouts examined ways of connecting key spaces on various levels, along with options for breaking down the massing of the overall building. The aim was to create a plan which allowed the living spaces to be interlinked on the first floor level, all benefiting from solar gain and panoramic views to the South and West. The utility spaces are located on the ground floor, built into the hillside, with the entrance area to the front. The bedrooms are contained in a one and a half storey building uphill from the main building. The two parts are connected by a timber and glass link providing a family room and bedroom above. Planning guidance encouraged minimising the impact of the building tested by creating the site model and providing detailed sections. The model helped to clarify the massing of the house and the terracing of the plan. It was also an important tool in showing that the views of the house from outwith the site were restricted to those of the first floor. A range of traditional and sympathetic materials were used; reclaimed slate, harled walls with stone details, dressed and rough sawn timber and glass. As well as the desire for maximising solar gain the clients were keen to opt for a renewable form of heating; our research and specification led to one of the earliest installations of ground source heat pumps in the Highlands. |
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Maxwell & Company Architects and Designers Limited, Larkfield, 23 Southside Road, Inverness IV2 3BG
Tel: (01463) 711676 Fax:(01463) 711696 email: info@maxwellandco.co.uk Registered Office: Larkfield, 23 Southside Road, Inverness IV2 3BG Registered in Scotland No. 137095 SITE DESIGN: PLEXUS MEDIA | ||