Serial self builders Aileen and David Downie have created a spectacular new timber frame home close to St Andrews

WORDS REBECCA FOSTER

PHOTOS DAVID BARBOUR & TOM MANLEY

Aileen and David Downie are no strangers to major projects, having constructed various houses for themselves in the past. When the couple decided to move back to their native Scotland, hunting for a plot of land rather than an existing property was an automatic decision. “We’d been living in a home we’d constructed in York for the last 20 years,” says Aileen. “Th e idea of going back to something we hadn’t created ourselves gave us both a sinking feeling.”

Although the couple are originally from west Scotland, and still have family and friends in the area, they were keen to relocate closer to the east coast. “It tends to be drier and brighter on that side of the country. Plus, St Andrews is a lovely university town that’s always vibrant because of the students,” says Aileen.

FACT FILE

NAMES Aileen & David Downie

OCCUPATIONS Retired training & development manager and retired service engineer

LOCATION Fife

TYPE OF PROJECT Self build

STYLE Contemporary

CONSTRUCTION METHOD

Timber frame PROJECT ROUTE

Architect designed, timber shell package erected by a local builder.

Homeowners took on the project management

PLOT SIZE 560m²

LAND COST £125,000

BOUGHT June 2016

HOUSE SIZE 180m²

PROJECT COST £297,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £1,650

TOTAL COST £422,000

VAT RECLAIM £22,000

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED August 2016

BUILDING WORK TOOK 10 months

CURRENT VALUE £600,000

Engineered wood flooring has been laid throughout the house to create a neutral, yet characterful, effect. It also works well with the underfloor heating

Still living in York, the couple began their search for the ideal site whilst on holiday over the border. In fact, once they’d homed in on the specific region surrounding St Andrews, it only took a few months to find a patch of land that ticked all their boxes.