Westerlea: new dwelling
Services provided: full architectural services from tender
Completion: April 2012
Westerlea is a new SIPS-frame house built on the footprint of a failing bungalow on a site overlooking West Hill. fairview architecture has taken on the project whose broad design had been completed previously; we conducted a thorough technical review and re-tendered the works before commencement on site in May 2011.
The new house maximises its elevated aspect on the site with long views from the principal rooms, whilst minimising its impact through use of an inhabited roof-space. It uses modern interpretations of traditional materials to form a crisp reflection of the local building typology. The spaces are generous and will be filled with light.
From the outset the client has been keen to minimise energy use and maximise resources. Off-site timber-frame construction is used to provide a highly-efficient thermal envelope which minimises heat loss through the building fabric and through air leakage. Heat is recovered from exhausted air to further reduce losses. Electricity is produced on-site through roof-mounted solar pv cells; in addition solar thermal panels work seasonally in conjunction with a woodburner to provide hot water and underfloor heating to the property.
Original design by pdmdesign.