Wilson Paul Award-Winning Chartered Architects In Dundee

Project  / Substation House, Carnousite. Bespoke new build dwelling for constrained linear site. 

Client  / Private 

Description

This bespoke dwelling stands as one of the most unique and rewarding projects in our portfolio, developed on a challenging site with significant constraints. The plot, located on Yeaman Street in Carnoustie, was a vacant, overgrown land opposite the Carnoustie House Grounds park, with stunning 180-degree views overlooking the park and easy access to the town center. Despite its prime location, the site was bordered by residential gardens to the south and positioned between two existing properties. Additionally, a small electricity substation sat at the entrance of the plot, further complicating the design process.

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Approach

Rather than being discouraged by these site challenges, we saw the potential to create a unique architectural solution that would reinstate the streetscape without disrupting the character of Yeaman Street. The goal was to design a home that fit seamlessly into its surroundings, with a design that felt integrated with the existing housing stock.

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The final design balances privacy, amenity, and architectural innovation while respecting the neighboring properties. The project aims to reintroduce a street presence by filling the existing void in a way that feels like a natural extension of the existing buildings, making it look like it’s always belonged there.

 

Design Features

1. Modest Family Home

   • The design consists of a 3-bedroom, single-storey family home with a simple, linear footprint. The home is almost entirely single storey, with two small two-storey ‘pop-ups’ to the rear, allowing for panoramic views of the parkland to the north while maintaining the 1-storey roofline of the street. The footprint is positioned to the front of the plot to continue the flow of existing buildings along Yeaman Street and mitigate overshadowing of neighboring properties.

2. Axis Wall and Canopy

   • A prominent ‘axis wall’ runs through the entire length of the house, providing a robust visual marker and demarcating the driveway. The wall also serves as the central organizing element of the home, allowing for views directly through the house, from the rear garden to the parkland beyond. This feature reinforces the visual continuity of the house with its context and enhances its street presence.

3. Long Glazed Living Spaces

   • The primary living spaces extend southward as a single-storey glazed element, designed to take full advantage of the South-West facing aspect. Large openable wall panels blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a seamless connection with the proposed walled garden. The living areas benefit from natural light and views, enhancing the connection to the environment.

4. Vertical Slot and Floating Staircase

   • A vertical ‘slot’ along the axis wall houses a floating staircase, creating a dynamic vertical element within the home. To preserve privacy, this feature is concealed on the southern side with horizontal aluminum fins. The slot and staircase design draw inspiration from the existing substation structure, creating a thoughtful material and spatial connection to the site.

5. Private Front Garden

   • A tranquil, private front garden is proposed, enclosed by a light grey brick wall behind the substation. This design feature allows the building footprint to be pushed forward, accentuating the long, linear living space at the rear. The single-storey design of the living areas ensures there is no overshadowing of neighboring properties.

6. Privacy Considerations

   • To mitigate privacy concerns, particularly due to the proximity of neighboring properties, several elements were incorporated: obscured glazing, timber battens for privacy, and careful window placement to ensure the house feels open and airy without compromising the privacy of both residents and neighbours.

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