AN ECO-FRIENDLY show home made almost entirely from Scottish timber was unveiled in Aberdeenshire yesterday.
The Model-D house at Pitmachie, near Insch, has been built to demonstrate how easily affordable, low-carbon homes can be built in rural areas.
The house was designed and built by a team from Robert Gordon University’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Build Environment and construction firm Sylvan Stuart Ltd, which is based at Old Rayne near Insch.
The one-storey building consists of a large open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, an office, three bedrooms, a shower room and a bathroom.
Although it has been built in keeping with other countryside homes, the building incorporates several environmentally-friendly features such as solar panels and triple glazing.
Professor Gokay Deveci, from RGU’s architecture department, spearheaded the design which he hopes will show that anyone can make their home more energy-efficient.
Prof Deveci, who is internationally renowned for his expertise in sustainable homes, said: “The Model-D house not only offers a solution to help reach Scotland’s 2016 carbon targets, but is also a viable and affordable housing option for rural communities where fuel poverty is a major concern with the rising costs of energy.
“The success of this development proves that sustainable, energy-efficient design is possible on a restricted budget.”
First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened the house during a visit to Pitmachie yesterday, where he heard how the team worked together to develop durable designs and construction methods which would ensure the house was affordable.
Afterwards he said: “Not only will the results of the innovative partnership (between RGU and Sylvan Stuart Ltd) help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change, but they can also drive down families’ energy bills.
“I’m also encouraged to see such fine examples of sustainable affordable homes being created by Scottish firms using Scottish materials.”
Over the next year, a postgraduate architecture student will monitor the environmental effectiveness of the design.