Taigh Sonas

This house is sited in a rectangular natural hillside plot accessed off the main road into Kippford on the Solway Coast. Principal views range between the south-west and north-east enjoying a spectacular landscape setting of the River Urr valley and hills beyond.

It was our intention was to create a contemporary house which responds to the slope of the site over three levels to capture scenic views, and in doing so being sustainable in its construction and have very low energy consumption.

Our design uses lightweight but highly insulated steel and timber frame construction, clad in cedar weatherboarding at upper levels, weathering to a natural silver grey colour to complement the hues of the lower level stone walls. The roof finish is pre-weathered grey standing seam zinc. Windows and external doors are triple glazed high performance timber.

With the main entrance is sited at the lower ground to the north west, on entering a double height staircase leads to the main hall/living/dining/kitchen space providing panoramic views over the Urr to the north-west, and access to the terrace/lawn to the south-east. The double height staircase in the hall leads on up to the first floor lounge/terrace allowing elevated views to the hills. Bedrooms and ancillary spaces are along the north-east edge over the three levels.

Taigh Sonas has very high standards of insulation, minimises air infiltration heating, and uses an air source heat pump with a ‘whole house heat recovery ventilation system’ helping to reduce energy consumption.