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Planners see the light as church inspired home wins approval

August 2 2013

 Planners see the light as church inspired home wins approval
A couple from Aberdeenshire have made it third time lucky in their bid to erect their dream self-build home in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, after planner gave their unanimous go-ahead for the scheme.

Despite being knocked back twice previously Eileen and Ian Clark persevered, employing Baxter Design to draw up the consented plans.
 
With heavy design input from the clients, both of whom are in the building trade, the scheme was conceived as a ‘modern interpretation’ of an agricultural shed and its form was also influenced by the arching shape of a window on their existing home nearby, the Chapel of Pitfour, which they converted several years ago.

This results in every wall within the house being curved, delivering a construction challenge but also allowing the property to maximise solar gain by following the path of the sun. In particular the property benefits from two separate living rooms at either side of the house, designed to allow sunshine inside whatever the time of day.

Commenting on the decision Eileen said: “This was our last opportunity, we just thought that we had to give it another go. We only changed a few things because I liked the design.

“I just thought it would be something really different to anything anyone else has built.”
An ambitious curving footprint is being adopted
An ambitious curving footprint is being adopted
Proposed landscaping will eventually form light screening for the property
Proposed landscaping will eventually form light screening for the property

The eco-friendly build has high levels of insulation
The eco-friendly build has high levels of insulation

2 Comments

Art Vandelay
#1 Posted by Art Vandelay on 2 Aug 2013 at 14:07 PM
Hmm. How do you park a car in a curved garage anyway?

Interesting plan form but the overall building looks a bit clumsy - it's not particularly elegant?
Al
#2 Posted by Al on 6 Aug 2013 at 09:14 AM
How do you park a car in a curved garage?
You use a Bent-ley, of course!

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