Brown & Brown Architects has completed a sustainable and contextually-sensitive house on the Solway coastline for a retired couple relocating from Edinburgh.
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Mart Goosens, Jim Stephenson
Designed by Brown & Brown Architects, Tidal House, is a new-build residential retreat located on the Solway coast in Dumfries and Galloway. Commissioned by a retired couple relocating from Edinburgh, the two-storey structure is sited on the banks of the River Urr estuary with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The house presents a robust, smoked-clay brick facade to the north, where it faces the village, creating a visually-grounded presence. To the south, a lighter, timber-clad façade, which is intended to weather gracefully over time, addresses the estuary. Extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing provides a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces, offering unobstructed views of the estuary.
The plan is organised around a three-sided courtyard with a vibrant acer Fireglow tree at its centre. This element separates the open-plan living spaces from an artist’s studio, where the clients can paint overlooking the garden and seascape. The house gradually reveals its estuary views, from glimpses through the courtyard to expansive vistas from the glazed corners. A suspended modern stove articulates one corner of the lounge, providing a focal point against the glazed backdrop.
The interior combines warmth and comfort with a blend of tile and timber flooring, and a mix of lighter social spaces and darker private areas. It has also been designed to accommodate both family heirlooms, including a bust of the client’s father, and custom furniture created by the clients.
Sustainability was a key consideration for architect and clients alike. Large windows maximise solar gain in the winter, a thick masonry wall on the north side of the plan acts as a thermal store, and a generous roof overhang to the south provides seasonal shading for the full-height glazing. Natural cross ventilation and good thermal performance are provided by strategically placed window openings and high levels of insulation respectively. Renewable heating is provided by an air-source heat pump.
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Source: Architecture Today