Clients: Mr & Mrs I Rodgers
Location and Brief:
This new build home is located near the small rural village of Fintry in Stirlingshire, and set within the beautiful back drop of the Campsie Hills.
The site is part of the extended families farm known as Knockraich farm, and is situated in what was formally farming land. The site was identified as a superb location for this family home with spectacular views and in a fantastic location.
The house was aptly name Carleatheran, after one of the overlooking hills.
The external brief of this 1.5 storey house was for it to receive a traditional wet dash render with banding to windows, incorporating a traditional slate roof to allow it to be in keeping with the surrounding traditional style of Scottish buildings while still having that wow factor and modern construction styles and techniques.
The eco brief was to construct an air tight, highly insulated build with Alu clad triple glazed window units, an eco friendly heating system comprising of an underfloor heating system linked to a ground source heat system.
The internal brief was to keep in touch with traditional styles with a hint of a modern and contemporary look. The surrounding oak trees heavily influenced the chosen materials for internal finishes to this project.
The Design:
A client designed project with contributions from our team at Haldane, added at a post tender stage to get the best fit and cost effectiveness for our client.
With our wealth of experience in design and build, we at Haldane worked with our client to review the Architect's details and gave our solutions for approval to construction issues. As part of the construction team we found the solutions and were able to give value engineered cost savings while still paying particular attention to the construction specifications.
Overcoming Obstacles:
As the house was situated over 200m from the main road access, our first objective was to construct an access road as set out by the local planners which included extensive land drainage along access road and around site to overcome the ground water issues.
There were the usual challenges set by any construction project and this project was no different. Faced with typical Scottish weather there was an element of potential lost time due to weather, and with this in mind we focused on completing the wind and weathertight elements first, whilst continually working with the weather and external factors forecasts. This allowed us to continue effectively with other internal trades if the externals suffered due to adverse weather and temperatures.
Our client sold their house and on return from a family holiday were able to move into their new home all as our detailed programme of works.
It should be noted that from the first break of ground on this brown field site we were able to have our clients moved in within a 22 week turnaround.
Special Features:
An Oak open plan staircase situated within an open plan lounge and family area sets this building apart from the norm.
With a Scottish slate roof design, we used a pazzaria Cupa H3 slate which meets French standard and is thicker than more commonly used slate, therefore giving a look of traditional slating as they sit less uniformly and give that traditional look required with incorporating lead work and traditional zinc flashings. The extensive use of Marley Cedral coloured weather boarding to the 5 no Dormer areas on a complicated roof arrangement which gives the building a unique individualism seldom seen.
Double doors to rear with Cedral grey lining provides a subtle contrast in material types and colours and together provides and gives that free transition from inside to outside.
AluClad timber windows and doors providing high specification and beautiful aesthetics.
Multiple Velux windows which allow light to stream into the public areas.
The wood burning stove with visible flue is a focal point in the expansive ground floor area accompanied with the traditional oak floors, doors and staircase.
High end tiling and sanitary ware to bathrooms and en-suites a painted crafted kitchen with made to measure Silestone worktops.
Environmental Impact:
The building was designed with environment in mind and followed strict planning restrictions.
The drainage is discharged to a state of the art Klargester bio disc pumping system before being filtered and cleansed through filter beds before discharge to water course.
Materials that were specified as Traditional Scottish Finish in appearance were all of high standards and met strict construction and design specifications.
Customer Service:
The design set out by the architects was done following the brief of the clients and was inkeeping with traditional construction techniques and finishes but also incorporating new materials and concepts to produce a building of tradition and character.
This is what makes us market leaders and an FMB award winner.
The combined efforts of Haldane Management and associated sub-contractors, and other stakeholders allowed us to deliver a high standard build on time to the exact brief set by the client.
There was a real team spirit, a real focus as always on client satisfactions good working environment and a happy and ultimately safe site.
A professionally managed job and one that I'm sure other prospective customers would like to have repeated on their dreams and visions.
To see more of this project, watch our video.