Second major design award for ‘Zinc House’

Published On Thu 16 Jun 2016 by Grant Hill

A rural dwelling designed by the University of Dundee’s Professor Graeme Hutton and local firm Leadingham Jameson Rogers + Hynd to blend seamlessly into its surroundings has won a second major architecture prize.

The team behind ‘Zinc-House’ near Monikie received a Royal Incorporation of Architects In Scotland (RIAS) Award at the organisation’s annual ceremony in Glasgow last night. The accolade follows on from their success in the Best Residence category of the Scottish Design Awards earlier this month.

The University/LJR+H partnership had previously won both awards in 2009 for the design of ‘The Shed’ in Meigle. Both properties are part of a wider project exploring how buildings can fit in with the rural landscape. The house has been nominated for further awards and is set to feature in the popular Channel 4 show, ‘Grand Designs’.

Zinc House is constructed with a steel and timber frame, insulated by blockwork and clad in zinc. The large south-facing windows and glass doors flood the property with natural light and afford spectacular views right across Fife and almost as far south as Edinburgh.

The materials and colours used mean the 500m2 property blends in with its surroundings rather than jarring with them. An array of south-facing solar panels generate electricity to ensure minimal energy use and low running costs.

Professor Hutton, from the University’s School of Social Sciences, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have won an RIAS prize on top of the Scottish Design Award. It is unusual to win so many accolades for one-off houses but we believe this is testament to the work we are carrying out here, and in conjunction with LJR+H.

“The genesis of this success lies in the planner’s office of Angus Council. They rejected the client’s original application because the design was unsuited to the surrounding countryside and advised them to visit The Shed to see an example of a house more in keeping with its environment. Thankfully they loved it and we were commissioned.

“Zinc House and The Shed prove that you can build modern buildings in a way that is sensitive and not disruptive to a landscape of natural beauty. Myself and Mark O’Connor from LJR+H worked closely on this project and it is a fantastic example of knowledge exchange between the University and a commercial practice.”

The house will now go forward for the 'Doolan - Best Building in Scotland Award' to be judged over the summer. It has also been selected by a separate jury to compete for the 'Grand Designs/RIBA Best House in Britain' award, and a film crew from the show will visit Zinc House next month.

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