The eco-friendly Lochside House in the north-west Highlands is the UK’s House of the Year
AES Solar has made a significant contribution to the design and build of the 2018 House of the Year, announced on Channel 4’s Grand Designs recently.
Lochside House is situated on the West Coast of Scotland and is unconnected to any mains utilities. The house serves as a private retreat for the owner – an artist who fell in love with the tranquillity of the site miles away from the nearest road or property.
AES Solar was part of a team of architects, builders and other trades that worked closely together to build a property in the north-west Highlands, now recognised as the best house in the UK.
Project manager for AES Solar, Josh King, commented: “The key elements of this design are both aesthetic and practical. The solar panels blend seamlessly into the property and the property itself blends seamlessly into the location. It is an architectural masterpiece, and the solar panels contribute to that beauty of design.
“With no connection to mains electricity or gas, the solar panels provide a complete off-grid power supply that generates both electricity and heat. In this property, the two different types of panel have been designed to match perfectly and integrate into the charred larch cladding. It’s very gratifying for our team that the judges recognised the sustainable use of energy.”
Sustainable use of energy recognised by judges
The winner of the House of the Year was announced on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme after the shortlist shrank from 20 to two properties.
Presenter Kevin McCloud, said: “This building has been tailored to the site. It is the kind of architecture we can all learn from.”
RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) president Ben Derbyshire also complimented the use of materials and their sympathy with the surroundings, describing the winning home as ‘truly breath-taking’.
He said: “With a highly sustainable approach to off-grid energy and water, it leaves the surrounding environment as undisturbed as possible.”
AES Solar is the only manufacturer of solar thermal panels in Scotland, and entering its 40th anniversary year, it is also the longest established solar company in Europe.
Another prestigious project in our portfolio
Managing Director of AES Solar, George Goudsmit, added: “Apart from the technicalities of providing an off-grid solution in such a property, we also had to factor in the logistics of getting hardware and engineers to such a site.”
“Our longevity in the solar industry means we can provide the expertise for every instance. We have highly qualified and experienced staff that relish challenging projects resulting in some very unique and prestigious projects in our portfolio.”
AES Solar was established in 1979 and has led the way in solar panel technology. Being a founding member of Scottish Renewables and the Solar Trade Association Scotland, the team at AES are involved with multi-national research and development into the future of solar energy.
Thanks to the following companies involved in the project.
- Architect: HaysomWardMiller Architects, Cambridge
- Builder: Spey Building and Joinery, Aviemore
- Electrical contractor: Sangsters, Inverness
- Solar panels supplied by Viridian Solar, Cambridge