Alexandra Place, St Andrews

Alexandra Place, St Andrews

Currently under construction, this high-quality contemporary three-bedroom house sits on an area of waste ground hidden within an urban block in the centre of St Andrews. The development transforms this overlooked space into a carefully designed family home with no adverse impact on the surrounding conservation area or neighbouring properties.

Site Context

The building sits within a 423 m² site enclosed by traditional stone boundary walls on the west, south and north sides. A row of existing garages to the east largely screens the site from view, while mature trees to the south further reduce visibility.

Design Approach

The building has been carefully designed to respect its sensitive setting. Its massing, height and layout minimise overlooking, overshadowing and any physical impact on neighbouring properties.

Materials were selected to allow the building to sit comfortably within its context. The upper portion of the west elevation, visible from some nearby rear windows, is clad in dark grey zinc. The remaining elevations are finished in Petersen brick. Together, these materials reflect the tonal qualities of the surrounding rear elevations and help the building blend into its backdrop.

Garden and Outdoor Spaces

The garden layout creates an attractive setting for the house, with an overall area in excess of 100 m². All principal rooms enjoy direct access to pleasant, secluded and useable outdoor spaces.

• A south-facing garden is accessed directly from the first-floor living room and is complemented by a balcony.
• A first-floor balcony above the garage provides outdoor space off the kitchen and dining area, with open views to the west.
• To the north, a landscaped garden bounded by an existing stone wall and mature tree offers direct access from the bedroom spaces.

These spaces ensure a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living while maintaining privacy.

Sustainability

The building is designed to be resource-efficient, addressing energy use through fabric-first principles before introducing renewable technologies. Key measures include:

• High levels of insulation and exceptional airtightness
• Low-energy lighting and energy-efficient appliances
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to retain warmth and ensure good indoor air quality
• Passive solar gain, with maximised south-facing glazing
• An overhanging roofline to prevent overheating in summer.

Together, these strategies significantly reduce operational energy demand while creating a comfortable, low-energy home.

Images by Donfedralstudeos