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Pylon House West Lothian

Residential Development in Central Scotland design by Zone Architects, Edinburgh

11 Mar 2010

Design: Zone Architects

Residential Development in rural West Lothian

images courtesy of architects practice

West Lothian House

Planning consent has been granted for a new house in rural West Lothian designed by Zone Architects. This is the first under its ‘exceptional’ house in the countryside policy which allows buildings of outstanding design to be built in open countryside. The design of the house explores issues of the modern vernacular in rural Scottish architecture.

The four bedroom house will be sited in a 25 acre field which it will share with a high voltage pylon. Inspired by Stephen Spender’s poem The Pylons, the design is themed around the use of electricity. The two wings of the building are derived in form from the vernacular cottage typical of the area and are twisted to provide sheltered outdoor spaces.

The pre-oxidised bronze copper wall and roof cladding is a direct reference to the power lines. The brownish red colour of the copper will also sit comfortably against the autumnal browns of the beech wood and brown grasses of the field.

The house will be zero carbon in use and will achieve an Excellent Ecohomes rating. Electricity will come from a micro-hydro power plant on a neighbouring stream and heat and hot water from logs harvested from the neighbouring woods and solar panels. The highly insulated, heavy weight structure is designed to maximise both solar gains and minimise heat loss.

Designed for a young family who have a long standing connection with the local area of Harburn, the house will provide spectacular living accommodation. Carefully positioned windows frame views of the surrounding countryside from a wing of living spaces to the south and bedrooms to the north.

Support for the design came from Malcolm Fraser, local design champion Greg McCarra and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland who gave reassurance to the Council’s planning committee of the credentials of the proposal.

Pylon House West Lothian images / infomration from Zone Architects

Zone Architects Studio, 211 Granton Road, Edinburgh

Zone Architects Studio

Zone Architects is a young award winning studio based in Edinburgh with partners David Jamieson and Suzanne Ewing. Their portfolio of built projects around Scotland often in sensitive historic settings, is underpinned by an ambition to create relevant, desirable and delightful places for dwelling.

Contact David Jamieson t: 0131 551 1973