New House, Hillside, Montrose, Angus

We were appointed in winter 2010 to design an individual, contemporary house with traditional cues that would serve as our client’s family home for them and their three children.

The 0.32 hectare (0.79 acre) site is located at Hillside, Montrose at the end of a private residential road.

The ‘fan’ shaped site is accessed from the narrowest point of the site in the north west corner and widens out in a south easterly direction with a pronounced slope falling away to the south east.  The higher area of the site enjoys an unbroken view across the agricultural fields to the south east and Montrose.

The existing residences along the private road leading to the site consist of a wide variety of styles and sizes and several two storey detached houses are currently under construction.

The house has been designed as a contemporary one and a half storey building with traditional cues.

The ‘Y’ shaped plan form serves several functions in that it forms an partly enclosed entrance and driveway area, and allows for accommodation to be orientated to allow for sunlight throughout the course of the day and benefit from a variety of views beyond the site.

The ‘stalk’ of the ‘Y’ projects out towards the south east allowing for a feature gable end and for the main living area to benefit from 180 degree views and daylight through the day.

The ‘Y’ form also sets up a central axis and pivot point around which the accommodation and circulation are organised.

When approaching the front of the house the central axis is accentuated by a one and half storey glazed ‘slot’ which also serves to announce the main entrance. 

As part of the environmental strategy glazing has been concentrated to the south, east and westerly elevations to maximise potential for passive solar gain and allow the house to benefit from the panoramic views. The internal layout has been designed accordingly to suit.

The applicant is keen to adopt materials that are sensitive and that acknowledge the vernacular of materials of the area. Maintenance, sustainability and longevity of materials are also key considerations.

The elevations use traditional elements such as pitched roofs but their composition and use of materials adds visual interest and a contemporary appearance.

A smooth, self coloured (white), polymer based render has generally been proposed for the external walls. Feature elements of ‘drystane’ effect walling have been incorporated to compliment the other materials and form a terrace plinth which roots the building to the sloped site.

Dark Grey Marley Cedral Weatherboard is proposed for smaller sections of the house and the upper portion of the garages. A fibre cement cladding Cedral weatherboard has been proposed rather than natural timber or uPVC due to its longevity, low maintenance characteristics, favourable environmental credentials and softness and warmth in appearance.
 
The combination of render, stone and Cedral cladding help to break down the visual mass of the building. 

Marley Eternit slate effect tiles have been proposed for the roof and are a sustainable and cost effective alternative to imported slate or Scottish slate.

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