DESIGN GUIDANCE single houses in rural areas - North Ayrshire Council Anderson Bell Christie
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DESIGN GUIDANCE
single houses in rural areas
North Ayrshire Council
May 2012 Anderson Bell Christie
1
Front Illustration the Houl, Simon Winstanley Architects 2
contents
Page
Introduction
Backgound 7
Policy Context 7
Ayrshire’s Architectural Legacy - Retaining a Sense of Place 8
Purpose of Guidance for Single Houses in Rural Areas 9
Design Guidance Structure 9
Part 1 Process
Typical Landscape Settings for Sites 12
Getting Started - Agreeing Consideration under Policies H2/ENV2
Your Proposed Site 13
Initial Consultation Meeting 14
Confirmation of Consideration 14
Developing Proposals
Employing an Architect or Designer 15
Agreeing the Brief and Service 15
Design Considerations 16
Further Consultation 16
Submission for Consent 17
Part 2 Precedent Design Approaches + Principles
Coastal Homes 20
Villas in the Landscape 22
The house as Agricultural Building 24
Objects on the Landscape 26
Other Approaches 28
APPENDIX - KEY STEPS
Anderson Bell Christie
3
Thoughts on Architecture....
Georgian architecture respected the scale of both the individual and the community. Stephen Gardiner
The job of buildings is to improve human relations: architecture must ease them, not make them worse. Ralph Erskine
The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilisation. Frank Lloyd Wright
Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. Frank Gehry
4
introduction + background
5
‘POLICIES H2/ ENV 2: HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Single houses in rural areas
Proposals for a single new stand alone house within its own setting in a rural area shall not accord with
the LDP unless it can be demonstrated that:
a) the proposal demonstrates outstanding quality of design; AND
b) is distinctive and responsive to its setting, making a positive contribution to the locality of the area;
AND
c) the proposal integrates with, complements and enhances the established character of the area and the
cumulative impact on the landscape of the development is acceptable; AND
d) is located a sufficient distance from a village, existing grouping, building or settlement to ensure that
the development is considered as part of an established rural landscape area rather than a built up area;
AND
e) account has been taken of the possibility of converting, rehabilitating or replacing an existing building
in the countryside or of locating a new building in a brownfield location; AND
f) the development is not proposed in an area of sensitive countryside, is not of a suburban character and
takes cognisance of the Rural Design Guidance where applicable; AND
g) the proposal has been closely scrutinised and positively endorsed by a design review panel (internal to
the Council) and/or Architecture and Design Scotland.
6
Background
Policy Context
The building of a new home in the countryside in order to enjoy living within
a beautiful landscape with attractive views and surroundings is a privilege Policies H2 and ENV 2 Housing Development in the Countryside are detailed
that carries responsibility. If designed well a new home will not only opposite but potential applicants should note that both start from an overall policy
provide pleasure for its occupants for many years to come but importantly position which presumes against residential development in the countryside.
it will play a part in the perception of the quality and history of the North The first option for providing housing in rural areas is considered to be via the
Ayrshire built form and landscape by everyone who lives and visits the area. conversion, rehabilitation, or replacement of an existing building in the countryside.
Where this is not possible small scale additions to existing groups should be the
For this reason North Ayrshire Council is keen to encourage new homes of
next option you should consider. Greenfield sites should not be considered as
exemplar design quality in its area. Homes of nationally recognised design
a first choice for development. If you require and wish to pursue this option
quality will build on Ayrshire’s architectural legacy, create a new 21st centrury one
you will require to provide evidence in support of your consideration of other
for the future, and help re-inforce, and in some places re-instate, Ayrshire’s local
preferable options under policy in support of any H2 and ENV2 type application.
character and ‘sense of place’. In addition such designs will raise the overalll
benchmark for design for housing elsewhere in North Ayrshire and establish the This starting position underlines that the siting, design and construction of
area as one of best practice for sustainable high quality living and development . your new home is therefore very important if you wish to pursue an application
for Planning Consent under PoliciesH2 and ENV2. Proposals, submitted for
North Ayrshire Local Plan permits the development of exemplar, individual
consideration by the Council, require to provide a strong case for justification.
houses in the North Ayrshire countryside under Alteration Policy H2 - Single
For that reason you are required to develop your proposals and prepare
Houses in Rural Areas which will be replaced in th new Local Plan with Policy
your application in accordance with this guidance. The preparatory and
ENV 2. However given the potential impact of such new homes applications
development work is much more than for standard applications and it is likely
made under this policy must demonstrate that the design of the individual
to be more costly than ‘standard’ applications where the principle of a new
dwelling will make a positive contribution to its landscape setting. Applications
house is acceptable under other Policy Terms. Applications that do not follow
will be subject to a high level of scrutiny and a strong and clear justification of
this guidance will not be considered as valid for consideration by the Council.
design quality and appropriate siting is required for each individual proposal.
North Ayrshire Council is keen to encourage new homes of exemplar
design quality in its area. Award winning homes of nationally recognised
design quality will build on Ayrshire’s architectural legacy and create a
new one for the 21st century.
7
Ayrshire’s Architectural Legacy - Retaining a Sense of Place
The predominat character of the areas that this guidance addresses is that of rural
farmland. The individual dwellings that infom the present, best quality architectural
character are farms and inividual victorian or georgian houses. The farms often sit
on low hill above their fields, the houses sometimes sit in open landscape but also
are often are on historic sites protected by the contours, sheltered from the prevailing
wind.
Robert Naismith in Buildings of the Scottish Contryside writing in 1985 of Ayrshires
farms noted that ‘the neat clean aspect of buildings and settings was strikingly evident’
He contrasted their ‘well brushed and polished’ appearance with messier, untidy ones
elsewhere in Scotland. He noted they were generally compact and often arranged
around three sides of a court.
In terms of general architectural character interestingly Naismith concluded that the
use of white harling with dark margins was more prominent than anywhere else in
Scotland at that time, and he noted that there the use of bay windows and bay dormer
windows was below the ‘national average’ (tho’ bay dormers were more common in
North Ayrshire than Ayrshire as a whole) and porches were not a commonly used
feature! Simple slate roofed rectangular dormers were the norm and chimneys and
skews are plain and low, tending to be medium/broad rather than narrow.
Producing quality through tidiness and restraint......‘The
proportions of the elevational treatment are not particularly well controlled
and in this respect the archtitecture of the zone is less disciplined than in
many parts of the country. The motivation of local builders seems to have
leaned towards decent building than towards perfect proportioning, producing
quality through tidiness and restraint. The style of the zone is placid rather
exhibitionist because the builders were clearly not bent on the expression of
their own personalities. The value of the style is consistency. For nearly two
centuries walls and margins have been carefully repainted by owners to give
an ageless appearance as fresh as ‘new paint’ It can live on if maintenance
is continued in the same neat and good mannered way as in the past.’ Robert
Naismith ; Buildings of the Scottish Contryside
8
Purpose of Guidance for Single Houses in Rural Areas
This document is guidance that stipulates how applicants should approach any
application which they wish to be considered under Policies H2 and ENV2; what
they must consider in developing their proposals; additional information they will
require to submit; and how their proposals will be considered from a design and
siting perspective.
It provides examples of exemplar houses that contribute to their setting and
outlines the resons why. It summarises and explains the key design principles
that applicants must address in their proposals to be considered under Policies
H2 and ENV2.
Design Guidance Structure
This document is set out in two parts:-
Part 1: PROCESS - The Planning Process Specific to Policies H2 and ENV2
Advice to applicants as to how they might best develop an appropriate proposal.
It outlines the specific criteria required for consideration under these policies, the
required pre-application process and details of the required information they must
provide should they wish to be considered as an appropriate application to go forward
for consideration for consent.
Part 2: PRECEDENT DESIGN APPROACHES + PRINCIPLES - Exemplar Individual
homes in the Countryside
Analysed examples of new homes illustrating the match between design
concepts and siting, and the issues associated with the design of the houses
and their curtilages.
9
Thoughts for the Client.....
“The dialogue between client and architect is about as intimate as any conversation you can have, because when you’re talking
about building a house, you’re talking about dreams.” Robert A M Stern
I don’t divide architecture, landscape and gardening: to me they are one. Luis Barragan
10part 1 process
Advice to applicants as to how best to develop an appropriate
proposal. Outlining :-
- the importance of agreeing a site with North Ayrshire
Council
- the likely investment in developing proposals and the
importance of chosing the right architect
- the required pre-application process to be considered as
an appropriate application to go forward for consideration for
consent
It is hoped that this explanation of what is a rigorous pre-
application process will help applicants to avoid spending
unnecessary costs and time in developing proposals that
cannot be considered to be compliant with Policies H2
and ENV2.
11process
Typical Landscape Settings for Sites under Policies H2/ENV2
At the Coast............. In the valleys............ On the high ground...........
With wonderful views... but seen from roads and the sea.........
North Ayrshire has some beautiful landscapes visible from the roads that traverse it and from the sea. It is envisaged that the majority of the sites that
may be considered under this policy will be publically visible from some location . It is possible that some sites may be in more hidden but still sensitive
areas and as such the criteria will apply regardless of prominence. It is critical that applicants agree the suitability of their proposed site for consideration
with Planning from the onset.
12process
Getting Started – Agreeing Consideration under Policies H2/ENV2
Your Proposed Site
The first important step in all developments is obtaining a site. In
applications submitted under policies H2 and ENV2 this is of fundamental
importance, and your site will require to be chosen because of its suitability,
rather than simply because it is available. Not all rural locations will be
deemed suitable for H2 and ENV2 proposals. Areas of sensitive countryside
are not suitable for any development, and other sites may be too close to
existing buildings. For most sites under this policy you will also require to
consider the environmental impacts of getting road access and services to
the site.
You will be asked to provide an analysis outlining the sensitivity of the
existing landscape - generally prepared by a landscape architect. This will
consider the topography , views to the site and the existing development
pattern in the wider area. There may also be sensitive habitats or
archaeology on or near your site that will require you to provide a report by
an ecologist or archeologist. Where is the site relative to other
buildings?....
You have to accept that if your proposed site is not agreed as being in
compliance with the policy it will not be considered for consent, and therefore
any work you or your agents do will be in vain. You must therefore ensure
that you adopt a staged approach to developing proposals consulting with
planning as outlined here.
As a first step you are strongly encouraged to contact planning once you
have carried out preliminary investigations regarding the availability of the
site, services and roads access but before commissioning other reports, and
certainly before developing any design proposals. In this way you will avoid
abortive design costs and time wasting.
What will the impacts and costs of
getting access be?....
13process
Getting Started – Agreeing Consideration under Policies H2/ENV2
Initial Consultation Meeting Confirmation of Consideration
In order to do this you should arrange an early meeting with the After considering this information the Council’s officer will be able to confirm
Council’s Planning Officer with responsibility for H2/ENV2 applications. if, after initial assessment, your site is considered appropriate for further
You should note that this is a specific individual rather than a member considering as an application under Policies H2/ENV2. He will outline
of the general Development Management team. The Council will inform any other required reports that will be require to be undertaken for further
you of her or his contact details. discussion, for example a Landscape Analysis or Capactity Report.
Ahead of this meeting you should send an A4 site plan of your proposed The officer may at this stage also list points that you should ask your
site with the north point and OS reference clearly marked with its scale architect or other designer to consider and address when appropriate.
and there should be a red line around the proposed site and it should
show the nearest public road. You should note that this does not mean that you will receive consent nor is it
agreement to any points listed in your Initial Considerations. It is confirmation
Under the heading ‘Initial Considerations’ you should outline any that the Council can consider your application.
information you have regarding the availibilty of services, drainage and
water, indicate the anticipated floor area of the house and how many Once you have obtained agreement that your site is acceptable in principle
storeys you are considering, along with any considerations you have you can then move to the next stage of developing proposals for the site.
regarding where on the site your home will be located on and if you have Again this next stage requires a significant amount of preparatory work
already considered the architect or designer for the project. considering siting, detailed design, construction and materials, as your
architect or designer will be preparing a design unique to its local context and
Without this approach the Council will not consider, even in site. Only once such work had been undertaken can any comment be given
principle, if the site is appropriate to develop a house under the H2/ on the suitability for referral of your proposal under Policies H2/ENV2.
ENV2 policies.
14process
Developing Proposals – Initial Steps
Employing an Architect or Designer Agreeing the Brief and Service
Policies H2/ENV2 potentially allow individuals to build a one-off, exemplar Once you have established an architect or shortlisted architects
home on a site that may otherwise not be permitted for any development. It whose work you like, you will require to satisfy yourself that you can
requires proposals to have: work with him or her on your project, the likely costs and the extent
of their service. They will also require to be comprehensively briefed
• particularly appropriate and sensitive siting on your aspirations and needs in order that they can play their part in
• exceptionally well designed buildings assessing the suitability under this policy of the match of your budget
and requirements with your proposed site.
• good quality detailed construction.
Establishing the key ideas and concepts for the house will allow the
This policy does not permit the use of standardised, pre-designed
design to develop from a strong foundation. It is important that this
homes and consent will NEVER be given for homes that have been
comes from an understanding of the wider area and a clear idea
designed or built on other sites.
of the architectural approach. The illustrative examples that follow
Your one-off design must also meet high design standards for are designed on the basis of an understood typology that has been
developed in the past. There is a need for a clear architectural idea
•all access proposals and boundary designs that informs the approach to the overall concept and detailed design
of the house. Employing an architect recognised for award-winning
•any required landscape planting. and exemplar design should ensure that this approach is adopted by
default.
Your proposals therefore require to be prepared by a skilled and experienced
Architect or designer with recognised exemplar skills. It is likely you may Your are advised to work with someone with whom you feel comfortable
also require a Landscape Architect. Simply put your designer should be and whom you feel you can trust. There is no ‘mystique’ to good
previous winners of architectural awards, or the best of the new generation design; the architectural concept and ideas behind proposals for your
of architects recognised by student or other prizes. This is an unusually house should be appropriate to your needs and should be easily
prescriptive requirement but the Council has instigated this policy to attract explained.
the best clients and designers to build new homes in North Ayrshire that
will become the ‘listed buildings of the future’. If you do not subject your Discussing this guidance with them will be an important part of
designers to this level of scrutiny you will risk wasting time and money and establishing that relationship. Through this your architect or designer
you are unlikely to obtain consent. You will therefore require to take time to will be able to take account of the amount of design and investigation
choose your Architect or designer and make provision in your budget for their work and supporting information required to make a submission under
fees and other pre-application costs. relevant policy. He or she will be able to advise you of the likely costs
involved.
In view of the importance of this if you have no experience of appointing an
architect you should take advice from the RIAS outlining your project and In appointing your architect or designer it is important also that you
your budget. We have also included links to websites that feature projects by commission them for a Full Service as they will require to prepare
architects who are recognised nationally as having the appropriate skills to drawings to a level of detail that ensure materials and construction
carry out your project. details are of appropriate quality to achieve consent under this policy,
and will require to ensure your home is built to the quality consented.
15Developing Proposals – Design Process
process
Design Considerations Further Consultation
In developing proposals your architect or designer will go through a process Once they have developed the Design Statement in Draft and have agreed
that will outline their approach to:- with you an initial approach to your proposals for the site it is strongly
recommended that you arrange a further meeting with Planning. Prior to
•The Site Topography and Character this meeting you should submit your designer’s Draft Design Statement. In
this way you will limit wasted time if your architect or designer’s proposals
•The Brief are not considered appropriate.
•Vistas and Views In addition to your designer’s Draft Design Statement detailing your
approach it is important that you have available at this time clear information
•Materials and Construction Detailing showing :-
As outlined most sites to be considered under Policies H2/ENV2 will • Location of the building on the site – accurately shown on a site
require a ‘Landscape Analysis or Capacity Study ’ carried out by a suitably plan and in 3D showing the dwelling massing in the wider context
qualified Landscape Architect or designer which will assess the suitability
of the site for development and as proposals progress the impact of them • Building base and ridge levels relative to ground levels adjacent and to
on the surrounding landscape of the proposed house and garden. At this other key features on the site
pre-proposals stage the Landscape Capacity Study will guide the design of
the proposals to ensure they respond to the chosen setting and result in a • Anticipated levels for any access road, garden and parking areas.
distinctive and positive design contribution to the local landscape.
• Position of proposed access road and servicing requirements - e.g. oil
tanks, treatment plants etc..
Your architect’s or designer’s response to all of the above will be developed
by them into a clear architectural concept which he or she will illustrate • Illustrations of the anticipated materials and detailing using drawings
in an initial Draft Design Statement for discussion with the Planning and photos where appropriate to agree the required quality
Officer. You should note that relevant summary information on Design
Statements is included in Appendix 2 of North Ayrshire Council’s ‘Design Please note that the Planning Officer can only comment on issues that
Guidance Development in the Countryside’, however in line with the are clearly illustrated or detailed. A lack of suitable information at this
importance and sensitivity of your application the Design Statement for stage limits the level of advice which can be provided.
your proposals under H2/ENV2 will require to be of high quality. It should
be well illustrated and clearly presented, outlining the existing context and At this stage the Planning Officer will confirm whether or not in his view
the important features, opportunities and constraints of the site with the the proposals are being developed in line with his or her understanding of
designer’s responses to each of these. the aims of Policies H2/ENV2. Please be aware that it is possible that he
or she identifies key issues which must be addressed prior to proceeding
to Application stage. As this is a particularly sensitive policy these could
include a complete change in design appproach, a re-visit of your brief
or if these issues cannot be resolved potentially a change of designer, or
abandoning of the site.
16Application for Consent – Additional Requirements process
Submission for Consent
If it is confirmed that your proposals are being developed in line with the aims
of Policies H2/ENV2 you can now develop them to detailed application stage
and go on to make an application for Planning Consent.
In addition to the standard requirements for Planning Consent required
by North Ayrshire Council your Application should be accompanied by
any additional supporting information identified by the Planning Officer in
your pre-application discussions. This will include your developed final
Design Statement for the building and landscaping proposals guided by the
Landscape Analysis and/or Capacity Evaluation and other reports. This will
be a finalisation of the Draft Design Statement used and developed at the
pre-application stages.
The aim is to have a detailed Planning Application for proposals which are
well designed, respond to their chosen setting and will result in a distinctive
and positive design contribution to the local landscape.
The application itself should have a concise and clear supporting submission
that outlines all factors and responses to them succinctly. In this way your
important application can best be considered by officers and committee for
suitability for consent.
17Thoughts for the Architect…….
If architecture has nothing to do with art, it would be astonishingly easy to build houses, but the architect’s task – his most difficult
task – is always that of selecting. Arne Jacobsen.
The aesthetic of architecture has to be rooted in a broader idea about human activities like walking, relaxing and communicating.
Architecture thinks about how these activities can be given added value. Thom Mayne
The details are the very source of expression in architecture. But we are caught in a vice between art and the bottom line. Arthur
Erickson
18part 2 precedents and design
approaches
These houses are all examples of award-winning or exemplary new
houses within the landscape. They vary in their approach to the
site and the housing type or typology that they are modelled on.
This section aims to illustrate precedent approaches to house
design and using these examples outline principles that clients
should be aware of as they consider their architects proposals.
We have aimed to only include Scottish examples but clearly there
are many examples of sensitive and exciting new homes elsewhere
which clients should seek out as part of considering their new home.
19‘coastal homes’
These houses are all examples of houses that are located on sites at the coast. The designs of them all make some
reference to the white modernism of ‘seaside’ architecture that we have come to associate with these special locations.
The building perches above the sea and
is designed to open up to the views. It
sits well on its site.
An integrally designed patio gives
outside space but is part of the overall
composition. It extends the living space
out into the landscape
The walls to the patio and the building
are designed as a series of planes with
large and feature openings designed
to emphasise this. As a result the living
area is transparent in that it reveals
views through the building lightening the
overall feel of the house. This wall also
screens the garden from the entrance.
The roofs are designed as planes and
are of a material appropriate for the
exposed location.
Construction detailing is simple and
‘crisp’ and plays a key part in enhancing
the overall quality of the building.
Carlingnose Point, Crichton Simpson © Daisy Dylan Watson
20A small house that addresses the scale of its site
and creates impact in a large landscape. It literally
reaches out to the Loch and exploits the views
beyond over the water in all directions.
The materials are hard and man-made -render
and metal - in stark and deliberate contrast to the
natural rock and shore ‘a place where the natural
and the manmade meet’.
On land it settles back into the wooded hillside and
makes the most of the extended site which has a
tree-lined burn.
The plan of this house outlines best its concept...
Tigh na Dobhran, Studio Kap © Keith Hunter
Page 1 of 1
Although a conversion of an existing house (the original roof is just seen in this view)
previously a naval outlook post, this house owes its character to it new architecture.
It is right at the water’s edge and exploits the views across down the Firth of Clyde. To
make the most of this the elevation facing the water has full height frameless glazing.
This houses demonstrates the importance of the quality of materials and detailing. The
massing of the overall completed piece is also senstive and characterfully domestic.
Port nan Each, Cameron Webster Architects 21‘villas in the landscape’
These houses are all examples of contempoprary new homes that broadly take as their design starting point the model of a
large villa in the countryside. In Ayrshire historically they were often large Georgian farmhouses or later stand alone houses.
The building sits on a rise
in open countryside. It is
prominent and whilst it is
designed as a simple form it is
sculptural on the skyscape.
An integrally designed high
quality wall is used to ‘ground’
and ‘extend ‘ the building on
its site. This also screens the
garden from sight.
A contemporary ‘classical’
in design with a ‘formal’
approach to the design of
windows and openings. This
is offset with some feature
windows.
Volumes and massing are
simple and unfussy.
Features are of a strong,
simple design with chimneys
being a key part of the
architectural composition.
Construction detailing is
‘crisp’ and plays a key part in
enhancing the overall quality of
Meikle Drunquarn, Crichton Simpson © Daisy Dylan Watson the buiilding.
22This house is in a suburban setting
but it demonstrates how a building
can sit well into and exploit a steep
slope. It uses the section of the site to
enhance architectural scale and drama,
emphasising the entrance.
The formal architecture is simple white
modernism which is offset by the
combination of formal new landscaping
within a mature landscape setting.
Materials and details are simple and
crisp.
MacCalman House, Archial Architects © Andrew Lee
The building is sited on a rise but
nestles into the landscape using it to
screen it and reduce its overall mass
within the contours.
The formal architecture is a heavier
rendered masonry base and a lighter
timber and glazed top.
The massive chimney plays an
important part in the proportion and
overall composition emphasising the
sweeping roof.
Donaghy House, Langmuir + Cadell
23‘the house as agricultural building ’
The design of these homes is inspired by rural argricultural buildings. They often sit in prominant sites in open landscape and where
we are accustomed to seeing large barns and farm buildings. Their designers develop this idea and design new buildings that can be at
once striking and appropriate. They need to be exceptionally well designed and detailed to suceed as a proposal under Policies H2/ENV2.
The building is a robust and strong
simple form with a bold use of materials
and proportion. The quality of the
materials and detailing contribute to its
success.
It incorporates a massive stone base
- reminiscent of brochs and defensive
buildings, and incorporates a lighter
timber top and screen that refers directly
to barns and sheds.
The curtilage and garden are also
designed to fit with the concept
and antecedent for the design. The
‘landscaping’ is natural and incorporates
a beautifully built section of stone
boundary wall.
Fir Chlis, Icosis © Chris Humphreys Photography
24This house is an interpretation of a smaller scale ‘agricultural building’. In this design the architect ‘lifts’ the concept of the building from
being a simple shed to a house by his use of an elegantly designed and detailed oversailing roof.The gable profile is attractive as well
as simple and therefore a strong design. The main walling is framed by large windows which refer to the framed structure of barns and
sheds.The simple flue rather than a built chimney is approriate for the overall concept of the building.
The Rock House, Colin Andrew Smith Architect
This house is built on a site with some historic remains - former agricultural buildings. It is illustrated as it has a strong conceputal design
approach. The architects used the former ruins as a key idea for the design of the new home. They saw the low stone walls as stretching
out like fingers to the loch and built on this idea, interlinking the remains with drystone walls. The new house is the first finger which defines
a western garden The second finger is part of the ruins to be repaired as a garage and workshop. Later a small holding will be developed
as the third finger. The new building engages physically with the ruined shell of the late 18th Century Tacksman’s house, reinhabiting
and preserving its footprint with a raised sheltered garden, greenhouse and a tower for study and reflection on the wider landscape.
25
Linsiadar, Studio Kap © Keith Hunter‘objects on and in the landscape’
The success of the design of these homes is dependant on the architect’s skillful handling of the sculptural
and formal qualities of the form of the house on its site. In these examples the use of timber is a key
component as it presents a softer form that helps the buildings to blend into the naturally changing landscape.
The design of this house demonstrates skillful handling of very clear
and bold design decisions - primarily the use of the circular form and
characterful roof.
The quality of the detailing and use of materials contributes to the overall
design quality. Overhanging roofs protect walls well in Scotland; this
one incorporates attractive detailing as well as shelter. The house uses
the section of the site to elevate living space and gain views; the window
design ensures these views, but also structurally expresses the circular
form.
Clach Mhor, Roddy Langmuir
This poetic house references the architecture of the beach buildings
of traditional sea landscapes. The scale of the house is cleverly and
appropriately reduced by using separate forms for various parts of the
accommodation. Proportions are varied to create the impression of a
cluster of buildings, each one built over time. Materials are chosen to in
line with the concept and location - black tarred shingles and concrete.
The buildings sit lightly on the site - simply in the landscape. There is
no defined garden which is important for the overall character of this
design approach as well as a response to its sensitive location.
The Shingle House, Nord
26The Boathouse takes a sculptural approach to designing
a building in the landscape. Here the composition of the
building is entirely defined by the sculptural and dramatic
roof and the grounded heavy base. This helps ‘dissolve’ the
mass of the building in the landscape and at the same time
emphasise and give it presence.
In all exemplar buildings the materials and detailing are
critical and should to be chosen in line with the conceptual
design approach. In this example the roof is of metal,
engineered to be as super thin and light appearing as
possible.
The base consists of stone - from the site - to anchor the
Boathouse, Mckenzie Strickland Associates
building in its locale.
This design uses a ‘classical’ architectural form and makes it
appropriate for its site. It maintains the simplicity of the form
in the structure and materials.
The classical form only touches the ground contour at the
entrance and the structure aims to let the landscape continue
unobstructed beneath the house.
It uses well proportioned windows in its timber walls and a
simple entirely glazed gable end and balcony to open the
form to the views and the sky.
Lotte Glob House, Gokai Devici
27other approaches......
As has been stressed the intention of this policy is that it will lead to award winning new homes in North Ayrshire designed
by leading architects and hopefully some of the best new ones. It is impossible therefore to pre-empt the kind of approach
your chosen designer will adopt. The ones illustrated preceding are not all-encompassing and your chosen architect might
approach the creative challenge in one of many ways.......
‘mannerist’ houses ..... hidden houses......
Defined here as houses that are ‘intellectually Houses that literally go underground. this one aims to refer also
sophisticated’ and refer to classical to the ruins of ancient settlements or to brochs.
architectural styles rather than adopt a more
informal approach to design.
Leijser, Studio Kap © Keith Hunter Brochs of Coigach, SBA Architects
28The ‘right’ approach will be one that synthesises the architect’s design talents with the strengths and sensitivities of the site
to meet your, the client’s, needs. This requires a positive and creative approach by the client too as most if not all successful
house designs are the result of a fruitful relationship between the architect and the client. Take time therefore to choose your
designer and to consider and enjoy the design possiblities for your home as the building of a new home is a priviledge, a
potential to leave a legacy for the future, and should be a pleasure to realise.
garden or courtyard houses...... ‘scottish rural white houses’
Houses that create enclosed gardens or courtyards. This one is These houses take as their design reference the large white farmhouses,
actually built within a walled garden and contrasts the existing stone manses and other houses built in rural Scotland. For that reason
walls with a crisp building form with thick white walls that define an when designed competently they generally look ‘at home’ in Scottish
enclosed garden. landscapes. To be exemplar and therefore considered under H2/ENV2
they need to be very well designed indeed.
..
Duncan House, Gareth Hoskins Architects © Andrew Lee Balgown House, Rural Design
29APPENDIX - Key Steps
Below is the process outlined in this Guidance that you should take
account of if you wish to make an application that can be considered
under Policies H2/ENV2.
Determine Your Site
DEVELOP YOUR INITIAL IDEAS
Taking account of the Rural Design Guidance you
now should further analyse your site and develop
your brief and initial ideas for the site.
‘‘Is the Site suitable for Consideration in Principle under H2/ENV2 ?”
KEY THINGS things to consider at this point are:-
NB It will not be if it is:-
• How will the site be accessed?
• In an Area of Sensitive Countryside
• Where do you intend to put the building on the
• Close to an existing Building or Group of Buildings site?
Find out by contacting the Planning Department - ask to speak to the appropriate • What size is the building likely to be relative to
Development Control Officer the site?
KEY CONSIDERATIONS/CONSULTATIONS
• Scottish Water and Power - is there potential for
a mains supply to the site ?
YES • SEPA/Scottish Water - what are requirements for
If the site is potentially suitable you will require to do some early preliminary proving work. The sewerage and land drainage?
Development Control officer will advise what is required for further consideration of the site. This
could include:- • Roads Services - check their requirements in the
Roads Development Guide.
• An Analysis of the existing Landscape by a suitably qualified person - eg a Landscape Architect
NEXT WITHOUT THIS LEVEL OF EARLY CONSIDERATION
• A statement or report outlining any Archaeolgical or Ecological Sensitivity - again to a standard
BY YOU PLANNING CANNOT EVEN CONSIDER
that satsifies the Council.
IF YOUR PROPOSAL CAN BE DEVELOPED IN
If Planning confirm that the site is suitable for further consideration. you cna move to the next PRINCIPLE
stage......
30Key Steps
DISCUSS WITH PLANNING DEVELOP YOUR PROPOSALS MAKE PLANNING APPLICATION
Once you have this information you should arrange to meet Once you have agreed the approach to the
and discuss your initial ideas and the site with the relevant development of the site with Planning you should
Planning Officer. If Planning confirm that they are able to consider the develop the full proposals and make a Full Planning
development of your site further under Policies H2/ Application.
The information below will be required at the meeting but in ENV2 you can now develop your proposals.
order that your time and Planning’s time is well spent you are The guidance for Planning Applications states the
strongly advised to send initial information that you have in minimum information which should be provided as part
advance to the Planning Officer. This shoud include:_ of an Application. For your application under Policies
You will require to:- H2/ENV2 this must be accompanied by any additional
• A map/drawing clearly identifying the site location and reports and information that you have been asked for
boundaries. This should show roads, paths, field boundaries, • Carry out any further requested landscape analysis, by Planning.
rivers or streams, trees and planting and any other features. ecology or archaelogical investigation
Provide the OS Grid reference You will also require to provide a Design Statment as per
• Employ a very skilled architect or designer Appendix 2 of Development in the Countryside. This
• Site photographs and even sketches to illustrate the should not be a lengthy document but should illustrate
context ie. the surrounding landscape and the nearest • Develop a brief and design with them that meets the design KEY ISSUES that your architect has taken into
development or buildings your needs, but importantly is also sensitive and account and provide additional information about the
appropriate for the site - this should be special to development that the ‘standard prescribed’ drawings
• Information that you have established about accessing you as the site is special in policy terms. NB This might do not show. EG photos or drawings that:-
and servicing the site require you to revise your initial ideas and rethink some
of your previous assumptions
• Information you have established about any landscape,
ecology or archaelogical sensitivity • Confirm any detailed aspects of servicing or access • Illustrate the context - the surrounding
that will impact on proposals and their costs landscape and how proposals relate to their location
• Develop a Draft Design Statment • Show site sections of how the development
It is important to be clear about how and what you want to addresses the sites’ contours
develop on the site. So you should also provide:- • Develop your proposals taking account of all of the
above • Provide details of the site boundary treatments
• An idea of how big you anticipate you wish your home
to be - including garaging and outbuildings • Discuss proposals with Planning • Illustrate the massing of the building on the site
using 3d sketches
• Any ideas you have about where on the site you would
like to build • Illustrate how the hosue will be seen from any
main roads and important views
• Confirmation of how you will ensure that your proposals
will be designed and built in line with this guidance NB it is important to ensure throughout this process that
you have budgetted for the necessary detailed work
to ensure that your proposals are viable and that you IF YOU PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION YOUR APPLICATION
All of the material above is required to allow a meaningful
have an overall budget that can fund the design and CAN NOW BE CONSIDERED......
build quality required by the policy guidance.
discussion about the site with the Planning Officer and will
help Planning form a view about the site and hopefully
confirm they are able to consider it further. If they do you
31
are now able to DEVELOP YOUR PROPOSALS........You can also read
