ruin house // off-grid home
A new build low-energy home on the site of an historical ruined dwelling
In this design for a new build off-grid home we are aiming for the rigorous PHI Low Energy Building Standard, as well as other sustainability targets.
Distant from other buildings, the rural nature of the site necessitates an off-grid approach.
The original house at this location dates from the early 19th Century and latterly all that remained were 2 ruinous structures with remnants of several stone built pens for animals.
We worked closely with the clients to ensure that the demands of Planning Policy NPF4 and the archaeological findings were met; part of the ruined structure is to be preserved, with the remaining stone re-used within the site curtilage.
The new house will sit against this wooded backdrop, adjacent to the retained remains of part the past dwelling, utilising this open air ‘room’ as a vegetable garden and outdoor seating spaces.
Biodiversity with be enhanced with the introduction of bird and bat boxes, habitats for solitary bees and other invertebrates, and a landscaping proposal including new indigenous mixed species hedges and tree planting.
The clients’ brief was to design a family home, with a large workshop / garage out-building, that would be extremely low energy to run. The two buildings are arranged at right angles to one another to create a courtyard in a way that is reminiscent of a traditional farm cluster.
Consequently, windows face predominantly south to take advantage of both the expansive views across the valley and to maximise solar gain, whilst a pergola structure will assist in diminishing any over-heating risk.
Silvered timber rainscreen cladding forms the weather skin on the ground storey, whereas on the upper level and roof a dark palette of materials is created by black zinc-coated steel and black stained closed-board timber cladding.
Structural Engineer // Forward Consulting Engineers
Photography & Visualisations // Paper Igloo