Custom Builds - Deepstone
3b construction has recently completed a new house for a private client on a very steep site with spectacular views overlooking the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway.
The new home is located south of Dalbeattie in the East Stewarty Coast National Scenic Area. The use of natural external materials and the stepped cross section design means the house sits comfortably in this sensitive landscape setting.
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The house was designed by Simon Winstanley Architects based in Castle Douglas and 3b construction were the main contractor. Simon Winstanley Architects assisted 3b construction in the resolution of any technical issues that arose during the construction process.
The site constraints were considerable - the majority of the site slope is very steep (over 45º), access is by a single track road and the scope for storage of materials on site was very limited. All these obstacles were overcome by 3b construction's efficient and safe project management and working methods.
3b construction provided a complete service for this newly built home from initial groundworks right through to client handover. The innovative house design has many complex one off details and features and all skills to complete this new house are employed within the business.
The first floor forms the public living accommodation with external terrace facing the sea, the ground floor contains the private bedroom and bathroom facilities and the lower floor contains the garage and main entrance. The base of the quarry is the only flat part of the site and this is used for car access and the entrance to the house.
The external expression of the house is based on the above strategy. The public first floor is conceived as a glazed pavilion sitting on top of a masonry base, which contains the private accommodation.
The pavilion is constructed with a standing seam zinc roof, glazed on the sides with views and panels of durable timber cladding. The masonry base is clad with natural stone matching the exposed rock face of the quarry.
The house has been future proofed with the following low energy features;
1. The external walls, floor and roof are insulated to a high standard and air infiltration is minimised.
2. Triple glazed windows with warm edge spacer bars, thermally broken frames and inert gas filled to achieve a whole window u-value of 0.7W/m2K.
3. Heat pump using a borehole as the ground source for the underfloor heating and hot water system with a closed combustion woodburning stove as back up.
4. Micro generation of renewable electricity using roof mounted Photovoltaic Panels.
5. Whole house heat recovery ventilation system.