Blacksmith cottages, Smithy Brae, Kilmacolm, Inverclyde

As an alternative to the mundane and often inappropriate houses produced by house builders, our design is intended to contribute positively to the current and future developments in Kilmacolm and the surrounding area, with a truthful crafted architecture. Render, brick and copper are traditional quality materials, in this case put together in a fresh way to replace an old metalworker’s shed. The design is specifically tailored to the site level responding to local materials and colours, and built on the diagonal boundary like the old workshop the roof with diagonal ridge allows maximum light into the private rear gardens.

The use of materials is a very important part of our proposal, we want to leave a lasting physical reminder of the smithy on Smithy Brae by incorporating a highly specific site response- crisp metal details and a copper sheet covering to the roofs. Outward facing walls are rendered in a pale colour similar to that found in the local stone. The garage and internal facing walls of the units will be clad in timber panelling, creating a softer and more intimate feel to the walled gardens. Structurally the houses are formed in TEKhaus super insulated panels combining superb energy efficiency with compact wall thickness. The external finishes are clean and simple with the majority of surfaces being covered in granite setts with galvanized metal edge trim.

The project has taken over 4 years to reach this stage following an ultimately- successful planning appeal. Scheduled for completion in winter 2005, we are looking forward to local comment and engaging the community in discussions about the design.

Client: personal project

Budget: £400k

Status: RIBA stage H/L - construction