Timber technologies

The housing scheme provides energy-efficient and affordable homes which maximise the use of locally sourced Scottish timber, for both forming the structural frame and cladding, and in providing an effective heat source.

The cladding boards have a sawn finish, resulting in a textured face, and are horizontally fitted in a panellised format.

The buildings are constructed using Scottish larch logs, which are sourced as close as possible to the company’s base at Station Sawmill in Newtonmore, in order to reduce the product’s carbon footprint.

Special timber-related features

Throughout the construction process maximum use has been made of Scottish timber, which has contributed to many ecological features.

The double stud walls, floors and roofs are all highly insulated, above current Building Regulation Standards.

A multi-fuel stove in the main open-plan living and kitchen area is linked to the hot water system with provision for future connection to solar panels.

The buildings are orientated to capture maximum daylight and provide excellent views from the living rooms and all bedrooms. Felled trees from the site are retained, split into logs and provided for each house at its handover, while purpose-built wood stores provide storage and drying areas for logs sourced from local suppliers.

Secondary back up electric panel heating has been fitted, but only in the bedrooms.

Background to building

This housing development comprises four dwellings within a small vacant Forestry Commission site in the settlement of Kilmun. The buildings use locally sourced timber and have been constructed with high insulation levels.

In layout and style the two-storey contemporary villas reflect the varied linear settlement pattern and architectural style of Kilmun and the surrounding area, a sensitive coastal location in Argyll. All dwellings are orientated towards the road and shoreline affording south westerly aspects over the head of the Holy Loch.