GaiaGroup : Gaia Architects : Individual Homes : Tressour Wood  Back

Tressour Wood, Aberfeldy

Design

UK House of the Year in 1993 the eventual version of the all timber Tressour* Wood house was designed and constructed in 1992 after a long battle with the planning authorities focussed on the use of timber for permanent housing in Scotland. Even in its final version the house was only approved because it was on an alternative site to its original context and was perceived as being 'in a wooded environment".
Aware of Gaia's experience with wooden housing in wetter, windier and colder climates in Norway, the clients, Peter and Marjorie Bourne, were prepared to see through the long process. The "First Bourne" design was amended to one more suited to the client's taste - but still all timber. Mark 2 - "Still Bourne" - then evolved as standard kit houses flew through the permission cycle and sprung up to the left and right. At this juncture the decision was made to move to a new site at the end of their own garden. This led to "Bourne Again" - which got built.

Technical Specification

The House pioneered Gaia's invention of 'breathing construction' in Scotland, it also has high levels of cellulose fibre insulation and benign structural and finishing materials. Non of the timber was chemically treated either inside or out and all wall, floor and ceiling finishes are natural, breathable and non-toxic.
The house is heated by a combination of passive solar gain and a single wood stove. The open plan allows for the lower floor heat to rise up through the solar staircase atrium to the top bedroom floor. Summer cooling is achieved via stack effect through the same atrium, with a (Gaia logo) vent at the roof apex.
timber beam and post structure