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Architects Wren Rutherford A-S-L worked with Glasgow developer
Mactaggart and Mickel to create two houses which explore new patterns
of living. They integrate innovative technology and forward-thinking
approaches to energy consumption and sustainability bearing family
and barrier-free living in mind.
The houses, one large and one small, have been designed to meet
the needs of city dwellers in the new millennium. They sit one on
top of the other on a very narrow site in Lanark Street (it’s
just 7.5m wide). The homes are accessed from a hard paved courtyard
which can be used for two cars or turned into a garden. The courtyard
can be closed off from the street, for security and privacy, using
sliding screens. The one-bedroom house has been designed for a wheelchair
user.
Although in Britain we have an ageing population, there is an extreme
shortage of housing designed for disabled or infirm users. This
ground floor home has a recharging facility for a powered wheelchair
in the conservatory and covered access to the car space.
Again, taking into account modern lifestyles, the larger house
has been designed for a family where one or more people work from
home. There are three bedrooms on the first floor alongside a living/kitchen
space. As you’ll see from the plans linked to above and here,
the top floor, created from mezzanine floors over the living area,
has two studios or office spaces with panoramic city views.
When designing these houses the architects took into account the
urban form (fitting their design into the master plan and taking
account of the city’s heritage and style) as well as orientation,
aspect and daylight, form and construction, and the requirements
of housing for people with particular needs.
Orientation
The two houses are entered through a small south-facing patio, then
their own small conservatory. This sun-warmed space reduces draughts
and heat loss while encouraging a close relationship with the external
space.
Aspect and daylight
Most rooms have a western aspect, giving them the benefit of an
outlook over a play park. Living rooms look south and west to enjoy
noon and evening sunshine. Small windows have been set in the north
elevation to allow in extra light and create an architectural feature.
These are of stained glass, and overlook the other patios.
Form and construction
The houses are highly insulated to save energy and the tiled roof
has photovoltaic panels for solar-powered electricity. Chimneys
and flues allow users to burn various fuels, including waste. Doors,
windows and floors are in locally sustainable softwood, while Caithness
stone is used to absorb and retain the sun’s heat.
Housing for all
The ground floor flat is designed for a wheelchair. Floors are level
and rooms have extra space to allow ease of movement and the turning
of a powered wheelchair. There are additional power supplies for
remote controls and wheelchair charging, wiring has been installed
for automatic doors, windows and curtains, the kitchen has adjustable
work surfaces, and the ceiling is capable of taking a hoist track.
However, these special aids and facilities have been concealed within
the flat’s structure and finish so there is no visual sign
to differentiate a special needs user from any other.
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