A NEW HOME IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS
BACK ROW
Year
Size
Sector
Client
2020
400sqm
Residential
Commercial
The site is located on a back row to the small village of Newstead, nestled behind an embankment off the main road to Melrose. The brief was to design a new home on this triangular site tucked up a long track. The site presented a number of constraints - a steep, tree-lined track up to and along the north face of the site, with a main road running sandwiched between an embankment of trees along the south side at higher level - yet its quietness and shelter gave it an unexpectedly secluded feel.
The client, a local developer, had previously secured planning permission in principle, but the permission had lapsed. I was asked to use the previous design as a reference and develop a new, more contemporary solution that reflected my own architectural approach.
The design draws on the character of the area, with roof pitches that echo the local vernacular and a palette of locally sourced timber cladding. The layout is arranged to maximise the best views, turning the site’s challenges into opportunities and creating a modern home that sits comfortably within its surroundings.
The project is currently on hold.
