Thinking outside the box

When Louise and Mike Forster found the perfect plot of land on a leafy street in Edinburgh, they took an unconventional approach to designing an abode that would meet the needs of their whole family

WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE PHOTOS ANDREW LEE

THE FORSTER FILE

NAMES Louise & Mike Forster

OCCUPATIONS Partner in an international law firm & manager of a software company

LOCATION South west Edinburgh

TYPE OF BUILD Self build

STYLE Contemporary

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Timber frame with additional steel supports for larger spans

PLOT SIZE 1,064m2

LAND COST £300,000

BOUGHT 2011

HOUSE SIZE 180m2

PROJECT COST £490,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £2,722

TOTAL COST £790,000

VAT RECLAIM £2,500

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED May 2013

BUILDING WORK TOOK 36 weeks

Mike and Louise Forster’s long-held yen to create their own modern, yet timeless, family home began to take shape in 2011, when they purchased a picturesque plot in south west Edinburgh. The site had originally been part of a 1950s bungalow’s garden, and it provided the perfect opportunity for the couple to bring to life the dwelling they had long envisioned, using traditional materials to develop an attractive contemporary property.

An unusual approach

The couple faced one major consideration – and possible hurdle – before transforming their aspirations into reality. “Building a modern house in the suburbs of Edinburgh, on the outskirts of a famous World Heritage Site, without overwhelming the neighbours or clashing with regional architectural traditions, can be quite a challenge,” explains Diana Borland, the architect Mike and Louise appointed to help take their vision forward. “Our key objective was to work within the context of the surrounding plot and to find the right balance between this and the conservative suburban residential street scene. It was also important to manage Mike and Louise’s expectations, as well as maximise their budget.”

For the fenestration, the Forsters specified aluminium-clad timber units, provided by Architectural Doors & Windows, to complement the contemporary vibe of the house