GUNSGREENHILL AFFORDABLE HOUSING // SCOTTISH BORDERS


Gunsgreenhill Affordable Coastal Housing

PROFILE

Architect:
Client:  
Location:
Type:   
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Oliver Chapman Architects
Berwickshire Housing Association
Eyemouth, Scottish Borders
Small scale development
The Gunsgreenhill Affordable Coastal Housing project comprises 9 new two bedroom affordable family homes and is aimed older people or younger couples with one or two children. The development occupies a narrow, sloping strip of land at the edge of the original Gunsgreen Estate.
Saltire Housing Design Awards 2009 – Commendation
RIBA Awards 2009 – Shortlisted
Oliver Chapman
Urban Realm
scottisharchitecture.com

  Working with the
Landscape 
  Respect the landscape setting
  and the traditional building
  patterns of the locality

  Responding to the
Site 
  Consider the immediate context
  and allow specific site conditions
  to influence design

  How to
be inspired 
  Inspirational ideas for 
  sustainable, creative
  and innovative design
  • The design uses conventional building methods and materials, such as timber frame panels, concrete block outer leaf with a rendered finish, roof trusses and concrete roof tiles.
  • With long views to the west across to farm buildings and to the north along the coastline, the dark render and roof tiles form a silhouette of a scale similar to the adjacent agricultural buildings.
  • The design utilises the existing slope of the site with a series of landscaped terraces to the front to maximise green space, privacy and views towards the sea.
  • The slope also allows the ground floor living rooms to be elevated 1.5m above the street level with windows facing south for passive solar gain and benefit from views.
  • Glazed entrances create a variety of shared spaces along the south west elevation, illuminate the stairwell and study area with south light and are recessed to provide shading to the glazing.
  • Internally, the stairs are tucked to one side and the first floor landing is pulled back from the glazing to allow light to enter.
  • The glazed entrances are animated by coloured inter-layers in the glazing units providing each with its own identity.
  • The timber frame panels were constructed locally.
  • The render colour matches the dark roof tiles and rainwater goods to give the impression of a single surface covering the roof and upper walls.
  • Avoiding expensive polymer render systems, external colour was controlled through the careful choice of black sand in the render and dry dashed aggregate.
  • The archetypal form is maintained but its profile is abstracted through flush detailing to create a modern aesthetic.

 

 

 

 

Page updated: Wednesday, March 07, 2012