July 17 2020

Carmichael Homes & Interiors are pressing ahead with plans for 22 identical 'upside-down' terraced properties in Venlaw, Peebles, establishing a new rural-urban interface in the process.

Occupying an open meadow on a steeply sloping hillside to the north of the town near the vacant Castle Venlaw Hotel the project has been masterminded by Norr Architects in conjunction with ERZ, to maximise views across the town while minimising visual intrusion.

A new access road will be built off the A703 to open up the lower portion of the hillside for development, with rear gardens cutting out a series of terraces into the hillside, with access provided at first-floor level. Remaining meadow will then be seeded with wildflowers.

In a planning statement, Norr wrote: "The site presents a unique opportunity to offer a holistic solution for housing in Peebles’ naturally hilly landscape. Integration with the existing landscape is a fundamental concept at both the macro scale, with the landscaping strategy, and at the micro-scale with the spatial organisation of each unit."

Arranged over three levels each property will be entered from a reconstituted stone base, which also houses a parking garage, with the main living spaces arranged in a lightweight zinc-clad element cantilevered above.

This upside-down arrangement further elevates living accommodation by situating an open plan kitchen/diner/terrace on the top floor to take full advantage of panoramic views across Peebles. 

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