Wilson Paul Award-Winning Chartered Architects In Dundee
Project / Burnbank House. Bespoke new build dwelling with excellent eco credentials.
Client / Private
Description /
Burnbank, Newtyle – A Bespoke Home Embracing Nature and Privacy
The design of this bespoke dwelling at Burnbank, Newtyle, revolves around three fundamental principles: the seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors, integration with the natural elements of the site, and a thoughtful response to the surrounding context. The aim is to create a home that not only celebrates its natural setting but also ensures privacy, light, and sustainability for its residents.
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Key Design Principles:
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‘Inside-Outside’ Living This home has been designed to create a seamless flow between the indoor living spaces and the surrounding natural environment. Large bi-folding doors open directly onto a south-facing patio, drawing the beauty of the outdoors into the home. Carefully framed views of the landscape are achieved through strategic window placements, ensuring that the natural surroundings are fully embraced. The open-plan design encourages connection with nature, with spaces that are flooded with daylight throughout the day.
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Natural Integration The design respects the site's natural features, with mature trees preserved and incorporated into the layout. The placement of accommodation and windows is meticulously arranged to work in harmony with the existing tree cover. No mature trees are being removed, ensuring the home integrates naturally into the site. The aim is to provide a harmonious coexistence with the environment, preserving the site's ecological balance while allowing the beauty of the landscape to become an integral part of the home.
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Contextual Integration The dwelling has been designed to be modest in scale, nestling gently into the site to minimize its visual impact from South Street. The one-storey garage and the one-and-a-half-storey living block ensure a low-rise profile, blending harmoniously with the surroundings. High-quality materials like natural stone and timber root the design within its natural setting, ensuring the home feels part of the landscape while respecting the architectural character of the area.
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Site Orientation and Key Benefits:
The decision to orient the house perpendicular to the Newtyle Burn brings several advantages:
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Maximized Daylight and Solar Gain: The house is designed to capture south-facing sunlight, maximizing natural light throughout the day and helping to passively heat the home. This allows for bright, well-lit internal spaces that are naturally warm.
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Privacy and Comfort: The layout ensures privacy, with main glazing facing away from neighboring properties. The distance between the house and existing buildings (such as Sidlaw House) ensures that there is no overlooking, preserving both visual amenity and privacy.
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Minimized Impact on the Streetscape: The house has been designed to maintain a relationship with the street, with a new driveway that respects the existing neighborhood pattern. The home’s placement does not disrupt the streetscape or contribute to backland development, ensuring it remains a positive addition to the area.
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Ample Amenity Space: A large patio area to the south of the property provides high-quality amenity space that is not overshadowed by trees, offering a private, sunlit area for relaxation and outdoor living.
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A Harmonious and Sustainable Home
The design of Burnbank is an example of thoughtful architecture that blends privacy, light, and sustainability. It embraces the natural environment, respecting the existing trees and topography, while offering a contemporary, high-quality home that is both functional and beautiful. By maximizing natural light, preserving the landscape, and integrating with the surrounding context, Burnbank creates a living space that is not just a home but a retreat into nature.
