Wilson Paul Award-Winning Chartered Architects In Dundee
Project / The Hill House, Broughty Ferry. New build home on steeply sloping site.
Client / Private
Contract Value / NA
Description
A low lying, modestly sized 2 storey, 3 bed house within the large garden grounds of a large existing house in Western Broughty Ferry. Our Client commissioned us to explore the possibility of erecting a smaller, contextually sensitive and environmentally conscious new build house to the West of their existing property which they intend to occupy for their retirement. The design of the house has been comprehensively tailored to their lifestyle and living preferences.
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When designing for any site we believe it invaluable to properly understand the existing language of that place. It is only from this understanding that we can begin to develop a strategy that informs design. For this site several key elements had to be addressed in order to facilitate contextual deign.
These were: • Topography • Neighbouring Properties • Biodiversity & Vegetation • Vista & Light
From these we were able to construct a framework that informed our design. Helping to strengthen the proposal and provide not only a scheme that effectively integrated itself into an existing dialogue but also worked to strengthen it.
Quality Spaces – Inside and Out It was important to us that any proposed dwelling would be able to reap the full benefits of this natural context. Vistas and openings are placed to convey the beauty of the surroundings internally while bringing in ample amounts of day light to ensure a high quality of internal space. Externally appropriate useable garden grounds are to be provided with the integration of more structured external spaces to allow for external activity. Additionally, to strengthen both internal and external spaces it was important that a clear connection could be felt between the two zone. A blurring of the line between inside and out that allowed full immersion within the site context.
Environment and Sustainability The development seeks to integrate sustainability and environmental considerations throughout the design. These are to be both by mechanical and passive means. Above: View of proposed looking north. Design Solution: Response to context As outlined above within our design principles, we have aimed to produce a design that is highly sympathetic to its existing context.
With such a change in level within the site, it was determined possible that a portion of the ground floor could be submerged into this hillside. This gave us a ground floor, accessed to the south of the property, at ground level as well as a first floor, accessed to the west of the property, at the top of this slope at ground level. By doing this we were able to greatly reduce the perceived mass of the dwelling, effectively halving it when viewed from the north. Allowing the southern views of the existing house to be maintained and protected. It also afforded us the opportunity to integrate interesting external transitionary spaces between the top and bottom of this slope. Such as on the east elevation where we have integrated a stepped terrace which climbs up the hillside leading directly into the internal kitchen/ dining space. This works to create a functional and attractive external entertainment area which remains low level but is offered views out towards the Tay. On the West elevation we have implemented a ramped car access leading to a garage/ car port accessed at first floor level.
The massing of the building was also used to further the minimise its contextual impact. Here we have utilised a low boxy massing that stretches lengthways north to south across the site. Additionally, we have incorporated a protrusion out southward from this block. This contains the dwellings main living area and cantilevers out into the garden grounds. By doing this we afford additional high quality internal space with a vista of the Tay and ample light while retaining the area below it at ground level for access and garden area.
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