When David and Rosie Reid were looking to build a low-energy home that would make the most of spectacular views to Loch Leven and the Lomond Hills in Fife, they were realistic about the scale of the task ahead. "We'd never done this before, so it was excitement and dread at the same time. With a project like this, you're just not sure how it's going to end up!" says David.
Their dream received a turbo-powered boost when the couple managed to find and purchase a plot in April 2017. This rare find was a rural greenfield site that not only enjoyed spectacular views of the surrounding Perthshire countryside but already had planning consent for a new-build home.
DESIGNING AN UPSIDE-DOWN HOUSE
The couple's main motivation in terms of their new home was to create a building that would be "sympathetic to the site," says David. "We're planning on being here a very long time, so it was important that the house worked for us. We wanted an upsidedown house with the main open-plan living areas upstairs, and the private spaces downstairs. Also, we didn't want a conventional door at ground level - we were keen to create the main entrance on the upper level.
"We also thought, how about building a house without any heating?"," David continues. "So it had to be as low energy as possible. We wanted to follow Passivhaus principles." At this stage the couple began to research architects and eventually found an ideal fit in Glasgow-based Ewan Cameron Architects (ECA) during an online search.
"The design was a very collaborative process," explains Ewan Cameron. "We began to sketch ideas together. Following this process, we started to produce site plans, floorplans and 3D models for David and Rosie to review and comment on. The house as constructed was based on the twelfth iteration of the design following the development of various forms, material studies, site positions, and orientations.
Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Back to black
Dramatic black finishes and industrial touches add impact to Charlotte and Sam Tisdall's extended end-terrace home
Change for good
A last-minute decision to build a kitchen extension instead of a general update turned out to be a wise move for the owners of this detached period property
High praise
After converting a run-down gospel hall into a unique 1930s-inspired home-complete with geodesic dome - Alice Deuchar and Daniel Schamroth pronounced it a resounding succes
Lifetime achievement
Replacing a tired 1960s bungalow with a bespoke prefabricated contemporary house allowed retired architect Helen Heslop Brunt and her husband Martin to fulfil a long-held dream
Self-build for beginners PART 13 PRE-CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
Make sure that your insurance, health and safety, build and cost schedules and all documents are all in place before kick-off
ECO LANDSCAPING
Creating a garden with green credentials isn't without its challenges, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce its impact on the environment, once you know how
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PASSIVHAUS VENTILATION?
Heat and energy expert David Hilton explains the benefits, options and costs of this ultimate heating standard
HOW MUCH DOES EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION COST?
It's touted as an affordable home insulation method, but is external wall insulation worth the outlay and what are the lifetime costs? We look at the figures...
Open-plan kitchen DAVID HOCKNEY EXTENSIONS
From structural considerations and zoning to layout ideas and lighting, our practical guide to creating your new space has it covered
RENOVATING A GEORGIAN HOME
Known for their elegant architectural features, Georgian homes need to be restored sensitively to make them fit for modern life
