Paramatta

A new house on a former unused walled garden in Montrose. The sheltered site slopes gently to the south with good solar orientation and long views out to the coast and Montrose.

The house extends to 220 square metres of internal accommodation and is mainly on one floor, with the eastern element of the structure being two storey. The house and linked garage are positioned within the northern half of the site with the house running east west. This positioning makes best use of the site in physical terms, relating to solar orientation.

A roof pitch of 35 degrees, with proportions relating to traditional Scottish domestic buildings in Angus and elsewhere. Composition of the external wall is a combination of solid and void with privacy, views out, connection with garden ground, insulation and solar gain all influencing the organisation of external walls. In this case, the north facing walls are generally solid with limited openings, while the more private south elevation opens up to the near and distant views and the sun. External materials are restricted to a limited pallet of slate, larch, glass, render and masonry. Linking with the house and garden site we proposed the use of additional external masonry walls as indicated to further integrate the proposed development within the site as a whole. Changes in site levels have been integrated into the design with subtle changes with ground floor levels.

The proposed house is largely on one floor. A single storey element accommodates all public functions; entry, kitchen, dining, living room and lounge. Serviced functions; cloak room / Wc, pantry, utility / plant are located in an area to the north on the ground floor. The two storey element accommodates the private sleeping functions with two bedrooms and bathroom to the ground floor and master bedroom with associated functions to the upper floor. 

In terms of architectural expression we are seeking elegant restraint in the direct simplicity of the roof form and wall composition. We are also looking for the building to be low-set and grow naturally from the site. We feel this expression is consistent with the best examples of traditional Scottish domestic architecture combining an honest, efficient, modest yet robust use of materials and forms.