For a retiring couple moving from Morningside in Edinburgh to Auchterarder, this project replaces an existing house with a contemporary new home designed around the next chapter of their lives.
Energy efficiency was central to the brief from the first conversation. The clients wanted a home that would be warm, comfortable and inexpensive to run, so many Passivhaus-standard products and construction methods were used throughout the design.
The result brings together generous, light-filled living spaces with a carefully considered building fabric, creating a home that is as practical as it is welcoming.
A comfortable, light-filled home for retirement, with easy everyday living, space for family to visit and running costs kept low for the years ahead.
Replacing an existing house with a new home that would perform far better, while creating a building with the warmth and character the clients wanted for their move from the city.
A contemporary replacement dwelling in white render and vertical timber cladding, with open-plan living around the garden and a building fabric designed around energy efficiency, using Passivhaus-standard products and construction methods.
A calm, highly efficient home that lets the clients enjoy a new chapter in Auchterarder, designed to stay comfortable and economical to run for many years.
The new house replaces the existing dwelling on the site with a contemporary home finished in white render and vertical timber cladding, under a dark tiled roof.
A sheltered entrance canopy, lined in timber, marks the front door and gives a warm welcome on arrival. Large, carefully placed windows bring light deep into the house while keeping the elevations simple and composed.
Energy efficiency was the key driver of the design. For a couple planning for retirement, a home that stays warm and comfortable while keeping running costs low was a priority from the outset.
The building fabric was developed using many Passivhaus-standard products and construction methods, with close attention to insulation, airtightness and the performance of the glazing.
The result is a home designed to hold its warmth, reduce energy demand and remain comfortable throughout the year.
The main living space brings the kitchen, dining and sitting areas together in one generous room, with large sliding glazed doors opening directly onto the garden.
Natural light, simple materials and a clear, open layout create a relaxed setting for everyday life and for welcoming family and friends.
A double-height stair hall forms the heart of the house, with an oak staircase and gallery landing lit by tall windows.
Warm timber, soft natural light and carefully placed lighting give the circulation spaces a calm, crafted quality.
The ground floor holds everything needed day to day: an open kitchen, dining and living space with a boot room, utility and larder, a snug, two bedrooms and a family bathroom. Upstairs, a master bedroom with en-suite and fitted wardrobes sits beneath the roof, with a study beside the stair.
Design visuals let the clients see their new home long before work began, helping them make decisions about its form, materials and glazing with confidence.
Set side by side, they show how the design carried through to the finished house, from the timber-clad upper floor over white render to the glazed living wing opening onto the garden.
This replacement dwelling gives its owners a home shaped around the way they want to live in retirement, in a new setting away from the city.
By bringing together contemporary design, generous light-filled spaces and a strong focus on energy efficiency, the project creates a home that is comfortable, practical and economical to run for many years to come.
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