Tidal House in United Kingdom Tailored to Owner’s Needs
Tidal House is a modern home on the Solway Coast in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, designed by Brown&Brown. Arranged over two floors, it features larch cladding, expansive glazing, and smoked clay brick. Positioned on the River Urr’s tidal estuary, it offers panoramic sea views.
Contemporary Design on Solway Coast
Tidal House is a modern residence designed by Brown&Brown for a retired couple moving from Edinburgh to the Solway Coast. The understated, contemporary structure comprises two floors, featuring larch cladding with expansive glazing and solid smoked clay brick elements on the north side.
Its location on the edge of the tidal estuary of the River Urr offers expansive views toward the sea, enhancing its coastal charm. The design centers around a small courtyard, aligning with the entrance and separating main spaces on the ground floor, with social areas on one side and an artist’s studio on the other.
Interior Balancing Heirlooms and Modern Design
Flexibility characterizes Tidal House’s key social space, which connects to both the courtyard and exterior views through extensive glazing. Notably, a stove is suspended within the view, creating a unique focal point.
To accommodate both cherished heirlooms and client-designed furniture, the interior emphasizes a balance between these elements and avoids minimalism. It embraces color and texture, establishing a warm, inviting atmosphere intended to come alive when “lived in.”
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is integral to Tidal House’s design. Brown&Brown incorporated strategies to reduce carbon and operational costs, including solar gain maximized by large glazed areas and thermal storage facilitated by thick masonry walls on the north side.
The design tackles summer overheating through calculated overhangs on southern glazing, while openings on the north enable natural cross-ventilation. Renewable heating is provided by an air-source heat pump, supported by heavily insulated fabric and passive natural ventilation systems, underpinning the studio’s commitment to sustainability.
Photography by Mart Goossens
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