Uisce Le Cheile, Inverness

The Architect’s design concept for this MAKAR home was to position a modest dwelling within the historical context of the Clachnaharry Conservation Area in Inverness. The three-bed home is based on a current vernacular architecture, and it is intended that the new dwelling appears ancillary to the neighbouring Dunnolly House, allowing the existing grade B listed building to remain the most prominent structure on the site.

The new dwelling draws inspiration from the numerous industrial and non domestic buildings in the area, with a particular reference to the grade B listed workshop directly adjacent to the site. This includes the profiled roof finish, larch timber cladding, minimized eaves detail and the large timber door openings. Like the old workshop the new dwelling has a simple, elegant form with a well proportioned gable.

In order to minimise the overall height and magnitude of the building, the service areas have been positioned to the lower side of the house. The house is located to maximise views to the north and solar gain to the south. The design allows for a simple form and avoids the need for ill-conceived dormer windows. Roof glazing has been positioned to allow for light / solar gain and the house will also utilise the views of the Beauly Firth, to the north east.

The MAKAR floor, wall and roof sub assemblies includes over 300mm of recycled newspaper insulation throughout. This, in addition to airtight detailing and a wood burning stove, keeps the house warm.