The Avenal Estate is the former home of Wallace Forrester who acquired the estate in 1962 and set out to develop lush landscaped gardens and woodland that is now an important local wildlife habitat.
When Mr Forrester died in 2001 he left behind a garden that had taken almost four decades to create and a family determined to preserve his legacy. They engaged Hugh Petter of Robert Adam Architects to design and build six Arts & Crafts houses each with their own particular architectural character, the first of which has just been completed.
The Arts and Crafts Movement in Scotland at the end of the nineteenth century created some of the most iconic and memorable buildings of the period. Kilmacolm itself boasts some of the best known examples, including the much celebrated Windy Hill by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The style is characterised by simple, boldly massed buildings with steep gables and slate tile roofs; roughcast walls; spare stone detailing, and big chimneys which dramatically punctuate the skyline.
The original Avenel house, designed by respected Scottish architect Austen Laird and built in 1928, was no longer appropriate for modern living. However Hugh Petter used the old house as his inspiration and produced designs for six Arts & Crafts houses of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Hugh Petter adds: ‘Our clients’ aspiration at Avenel has been to create a worthy addition to Kilmacolm, with the new houses fusing unselfconsciously with the rich and celebrated architectural traditions of the town, whilst creating generous comfortable and distinctive modern homes in a beautiful location. It has been inspiring to work with such a dedicated team on this important project.’
Traditionally built with dressed honey blonde sandstone and topped with a slate roof, the five-bedroom home has been completed by master craftsmen and with an attention to detail rarely seen in modern-day house building. The top quality Poggenpohl kitchen features integrated appliances by Siemens. Bathroom and sanitary ware are Hansgrohe and Villeroy & Boch.
The highly efficient heating system boasts under floor piped hot water working in tandem with state-of-the-art ventilation and heat recovery equipment. The house also has the latest in integrated technology and home automation allowing the owners to remotely operate, for example, security and home entertainment systems.
Each house is situated on a generous plot and the location of each property has been carefully planned. Natural contours and mature trees screen the properties from their neighbours while southern and westerly exposures have been maximized to ensure that light floods into the homes. Each household therefore benefits from a high degree of privacy, ample daylight and from views across the private gardens to the Renfrewshire hills beyond.
Price: £1.55m, for more information, visite: www.avenelhomes.co.uk
