a contemporary family house built and crafted by its owner/builder

This self build four bedroom family house is located in the westside settlement of Tresta. Our client acquired the site which overlooks Tresta Voe and offers stand landscape vistas from the house.

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  • TIME SPAN:

    2013 - 2015

  • TYPE:

    Private House

  • STATUS:

    Complete

  • CLIENT:

    Mr & Mrs Leask

  • LOCATION:

    Tresta, Shetland

  • SIZE:

    194 m²

  • Contractor:

    Brydon Leask

  • Photographers:

    Richard Gibson Architects, Keiba Film (filmography), The Shetland Flyer, Ewan Nicolson

  • AWARDS:

    2016: I.A.A Awards - New Buildings - Commendation

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The client asked us to provide a contemporary style home with a traditional country interior feel within.

“Richard Gibson Architects were great to work with and they really understood what we wanted and what would work for our family. We would not have been able to create our lovely home without them and their door was always open for help and advice. They remained very interested in the build throughout the process and beyond with excellent, personal and friendly service. We thought they had great ideas and really understand the Shetland landscape and how modern buildings can connect to its past.”

/ Angela & Brydon Leask


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The front of the house has a traditional narrow section while a discrete wing is positioned toward the heather hill at the rear.  The core of the interior radiates around a central drum, and the open living spaces have a light and spacious feel.

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The narrow section creates an illusion of a smaller house from the outside and is therefore less obtrusive within it's surroundings.  A balance is sought to provide the client's required interior space within a smaller footprint, reducing running costs and increasing efficiency.  

Our client has recently erected his boat shed & workshop too, which help embed the house into the landscape and complements the house.

Langerview - Image

This home was featured in the 60 North online magazine https://www.rg-architects.com/pdfs/60N-Tresta.pdf

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