Off-grid Highland home named RIBA house of the year
November 29 2018
The Royal Institute of British Architects have named a West Highland home as its House of the Year 2018 following a nationwide competition.
Lochside House, designed by Haysom Ward Millar Architects, won over the herarts and minds of judges courtesy of its highly sustainable nature which sees the self-sufficient home powered by solar energy and supported by its own water supply.
RIBA president Ben Derbyshire commented: “With a highly sustainable, off-grid approach to energy and water, it leaves the surrounding environment as undisturbed as possible.
"Every detail has been fine-tuned to create an exceptional home and studio that meets the needs and wishes of its artist owner."
Judges were also wowed by the homes relationship with nature through an innovative use of timber, providing the perfect setting for the artist owner’s art collection.
Photography by Richard Fraser
|
21 Comments
Speaking of social relevance, I see the RIBA have given this its approval.
Bless them.
(...what the pictures don't show of course is the lie of it. For this you have to go to the website and see the photograph of 20 or so brightly coloured PLASTIC Kayaks parked on the shore. So much for 'sustainability' yah... ''leaving the surrounding environment as undisturbed as possible''. Right, then.)
As for Kayaks #2.... paper kayaks are really rubbish... and I don't know what kayaks have to do with architecture. I also feel very sorry for people like you that cant say "this looks great" and feel the necessity to use a double negative "Theres nowt here not to like". Go see your doctor, get some help.
And?
Is that it?
(my simple point was that claims to sustainability re architecture also includes the economic) - so if the the kayaking business is part of the dwelling then why not include it and that image as part of the story. Or, would that image just muddy the perfect looking good and ''relationship with nature'' narrative?
Yeh, I thought so.
Go read a book, get some knowledge on The Photographic Paradox.
Regarding the sustainability points above, obviously if it really was close to ones heart then you wouldn’t build a new house at all (unless on a brownfield site) but if one must build a holiday home in a beauty spot then any mitigation is good.
Modest and understated, who knows they might actually be second hand kayaks saved from landfill.
There are so many nice touches in this, it's always great to see a small project where the budget has actually managed to deliver the ground works and external finishes.
Well worthy winner imo
Too fussy, too complex and too self indulgent -- upper middle class ego trip rather than a real solution to a genuine housing problem.
Interesting but ultimately a real world fail.
Competition click bait.
On the plus side you’ll always be sure of a hot meal and a pint if those PV panels let you down!
Not a lot of quality in social housing these days sadly, as demonstrated by the crap on this web site. I'd love to know what you are personally doing to resolve this? rather than just spouting your continual and very tiresome bile...
Architecture should be taken for what it is, not what (you) think it stands for.
Thank you for your initial positivity. It warms my heart, if only momentarily.
But... there ARE photos of the kayaks, if there hadn’t been, you wouldn’t know. Photo selection on a news article is hardly the buildings fault, neither is it the architects, nor the awards.
I think you need to put the books down... go get a warm hug off of someone.
I think you make an interesting point but...
I am not sure if there is a Planning Use Class for “Holiday Home”. If so should this award be annulled?
When Scottish Independence happens will Royal Institute of British Architects become defunct?
Pity about the parochial, but entirely expected, comments regarding budget, class and politics. What a sad little insecure place Scotland can be.
However, I think that local authorites should all relax their planning legislation just so we can all build our dream houses on lochsides on land that we bought at agricultural values.
Post your comments
Back to November 2018
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
What a contrast to last years winner (a huge expensive mega house that although was very nice looked more like a museum).