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The Arbor House

Custom Build

Aberdeen, Scotland

An existing bungalow was demolished and replaced by this two-storey, contemporary residence. Set on a busy road in Aberdeen’s west end, a private garden and concealed entrance colonnade have been created through sensitive retention of an existing stone wall. A sedum living roof, timber narrow boards and floor-to-ceiling glazing combine effectively for a striking aesthetic.

Internally, the home combines a rich palette of materials, including a birch plywood spiral staircase, frameless electric aluminium doors, microcement flooring and a double height, smoked larch front entrance.

Board-marked concrete is a major material used both inside and outside the home. The Coldwells Build team developed a technique to hand pour, set and install the concrete panels on site. With unfaltering attention to detail in its construction, the fine wood grain detail provides a beautifully textured finish.

Coldwells Build won a 2023 Federation of Master Builder Award for The Arbor House in the New Build category.

An external view looking at a contemporary, natural timber clad home from across a road. A stone wall encloses the home, which has a flat green sedum roof.
A wide shot of a modern home. The first floor- a long, elevated, timber and glass building- cantilevers above a concrete colonnade. There is lots of floor to ceiling glass in the property and you can see right through to the other side. The house is made from timber cladding and board marked concrete. Trees and garden surround the property.
A cantilevered, timber clad house. A granite stone boundary wall surrounds the property.
A close up of a granite stone wall. A modern house, clad in timber cuts into the wall and casts a shadow on the stone.
Looking down a concrete colonnade with a timber lined ceiling. One wall of the colonnade has been made with an old stone wall. A smoked larch pivot front door is at the end of the colonnade.
Peering from the outside into the kitchen area a modern house. A spiral birch plywood staircase can be seen in the background. Birch plywood cabinetry and a concrete island are in the foreground.
The view from the kitchen of a modern house. A black kitchen island with concrete worktop are in the foreground. The kitchen sink and taps can also be seen. In the background a persons feet can be seen descending a birch plywood spiral staircase. The floor is micro cement. A white table and timber chairs are also in the background.
The kitchen and living area inside a modern house. Black kitchen cabinets line the back wall. A kitchen island sits in the centre of the room, with its concrete work top. Birch plywood cabinetry and a birch plywood spiral staircase can be seen. The floor is micro cement. The ceiling is timber lined.
The living room of a modern house. Two walls are made from floor to ceiling glazing. A TV is mounted on the back, middle wall which is made from board marked concrete. Below the TV is a fireplace. A dog sits on a cream couch in the middle of the room. The ceiling is timber lined. The floor is micro cement. Through the glazing, a garden can be seen outside. Grass and trees surround the property.
Detail shot of a fireplace surround made from timber imprinted concrete.
A dog walks inside a heavily glazed house looking outside. The walls are all made from glass. Inside, a fireplace is visible. The fireplace surround and chimney are made from board marked concrete. The ceiling is timber lined. The internal floor is micro cement.
The entrance hallway of a modern house. The view takes us through to the dining and kitchen area. A birch plywood spiral staircase is in the centre of the space. Micro cement floors. Timber lined ceiling.
A spiral birch plywood staircase is the centrepiece of a room inside a modern house. Floor to ceiling glazing makes up the back wall. The floor is micro cement. The ceiling is timber lined. A white table and timber chairs sit in the background.
The master bedroom of a modern house. Timber flooring. A timber chair sits in the corner of the room. Large windows flood light. Outside, a concrete colonnade, with a sedum roof can be seen, as well as a timber clad carport. Large trees also surround the property.
Looking into the ensuite bathroom of a modern house. A modern black bathtub sits in the centre of the room. Floor to ceiling glazing allows light to flood into the bathroom.
A room inside a modern house. Floor to ceiling glazing takes up one wall. The floor is micro cement. A white table is in the centre of the room. Timber chairs surround it. A tall plant sits in a pot in the corner of the room.
A detail, close up shot of the curved timber of a birch plywood spiral staircase. A partially obscured man can be seen descending the stairs.
An outside shot looking into a heavily glazed house. Through the glass, a dog can be seen sitting at the bottom of a birch plywood spiral staircase. The home’s exterior materials are made from timber cladding and board marked concrete.
A wide shot of a modern home. The first floor- a long, elevated, timber and glass building- cantilevers above a concrete colonnade. There is lots of floor to ceiling glass in the property and you can see right through to the other side. The house is made from timber cladding and board marked concrete. Trees and garden surround the property.
A close up showing granite stone and timber cladding juxtaposed.
A three car garage made of stone. A granite stone boundary wall at the entrance.
A twilight shot of a modern, cantilevered house, looking from the outside in. The lights are on inside the property and floor to ceiling glazing allows you to see right inside the home. A man and a woman can be seen sitting on a couch watching TV. The home’s materials include board marked concrete and timber cladding.
A twilight shot of a modern house, looking from the outside in. The lights are on inside the property and floor to ceiling glazing allows you to see right inside the home. A birch plywood spiral staircase is visible inside the home.

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A large pallet of concrete builder’s blocks sits on a muddy construction site. A red radio sits atop of the concrete blocks. A cement splattered barrow and a white bucket sit close by. A broom leans against the blocks. Barley fields can be seen in the distance.

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Credits

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Design, Direction

kenna.studio

Worksite Photography

India Hobson

Brand Copy

Leanne Cloudsdale