Airlie Church is a category ‘B’ listed building in Kirkton of Airlie, Angus. The church dates to 1783 although some earlier buildings are associated with the site as long ago as 1242. Renovations were carried out in the late 19th century including pitch pine panelling and the church pews.
These proposals redesign the interior of the building to form a 2 bedroom house. The impressive scale of the main space will be retained to take advantage of the incredible natural light. This area will form the heart of the building with living room and kitchen. Bedrooms will be situated on the upper floors, each accessed by an individual stair at the west and east wings.
“Aim presented a thoroughly well considered case for developing this multi storey development with single means of escape - the first of its kind in Dundee." - Private Client
Aim were commissioned by a private client to assess the viability of a residential development on a former garage site. The proposal maximised the ground area to accommodate eight 4-bedroom townhouse in a terraced configuration. Each townhouse includes dedicated garden space, driveway and integral garage. A simple palette of wood, render and brick finishes break up the façade to a comfortable individual scale and provides an interesting street frontage.
As part of the temporary enhancements to Dundee’s emerging waterfront, Aim Design were commissioned to develop proposals for a versatile creative retail experience formed from shipping containers. CUBE was designed to be transferrable to different sites in Dundee and around the UK as a re-generator for frustrated and stagnated inner-city sites.
CUBE, is a series of 10ft, 20ft and 40ft incubator retail spaces staggered to provide a faceted street frontage with container ends opened to the street.
Each container is coloured to graduate a pastel range along the façade. A series of 10ft containers situated on top of the retail units act as light boxes advertising the creative arts events and heratage that Dundee and its surrounding communities have to offer.
As part of an on-going relationship of upgrade and estate enhancement Aim were appointed to carry out a feasibility study for a new start up business incubator building. A 2-storey construction with a rain screen cladding and glass skin defends a position within in the established Blackness Industrial Estate. The internal organisation is susceptible to business fluctuations enabling flexible unit growth and lease terms.
Low energy consumption integration is a vital component in promoting the low cost running of the commercial spaces.
Super insulated construction combined with eco-heating initiatives offer the business newcomer an affordable and flexible facility to support future growth.
Aim were commissioned to undertake the design of an integrated development on a brown field city centre site, linking new build infill and conversion of a section of the listed former Castle Flour Mill, with minimal intrusion works to two historic courtyards. The massing and choice of materials flowed from this flows from the existing character of Exchange Street. Regard was paid to the scale of the former warehouse buildings which occupied the site, and to differences in the properties to either side. The relationship between the building in terms of vertical and horizontal, height and colour were respected. Towers of differing heights were placed at each end to create a transition from old to new, and a change in material was introduced to reflect the massing of the former warehouse buildings.
Central corner towers were created to either side of a fought-for opening to frame the splendour of the elaborate apse of the Category A Listed St Paul’s Cathedral.
Located close to Carnoustie Golf Links and Bay, the site for this extension was occupied by a single-storey 1970’s residential building, with limited views to the golf courses. The proposal includes the reconfiguration of the existing layout to maximise the appeal of the property, and the overhaul of the existing external skin to modernise the external impression.
The addition of a first floor provides additional sleeping accommodation, a golfer’s snug and a new south west orientated external drinks terrace that provides commanding views over the Carnoustie Championship Golf Course 18th green.
The overall effect is one of restrained modernity that still manages to make a sensitive contribution to surrounding urban fabric, and that has significantly increased the rental and sale value of the property for the client.
The town of Markinch features a rich variety of architectural styles that creates an impressive character. In addition to this, the spire of St Drostan’s Church dominates the surrounding and serves as a visual point of orientation and the diversity. Aim were commissioned by Lomond Homes to develop proposals for care home facilities in Markinch on the site of ‘The Glebe’, a low lying piece of agricultural ground bounded on three sides by domestic scale buildings. Proposals were developed which sought to retain the integrity of the site, whilst sensitively introducing the new proposal with minimal environmental and visual impact.
The resultant cloistered courtyard accommodation provides a safe, managed, and sheltered retreat, maintaining visual and pedestrian lines into and out of the courtyard, capturing important features of Markinch including St Drostan’s Church, the manse, and Markinch Hill.
This sensitive upgrade to the category ‘C’ listed Pitkerro Mill introduces a replacement sun room, as well as reconfiguring internal spaces. The proposed internal alterations have allowed for significantly larger living spaces, including a substantial kitchen/dining area on the ground floor that leads into the rear extension.
The reconfiguration has allowed for four bedrooms – with an optional fifth – alongside an array of supplementary spaces such as a gallery space, games room, and snug, maximising the building’s flexibility for family living. The proposed rear extension provides an additional living space with ample natural light, connecting the interior and exterior spaces of the property seamlessly.
While the extension will provide an internal modern living space, its low impact exterior remains sympathetic to the existing house in regards to both form and materiality, utilising a complimentary palette of muted tones.
A former single bungalow site in Wellbank, Aim were commissioned to deliver two compact, 150m², semi-modern detached villas. Each villa includes 4 bedrooms, an open plan living dining and kitchen space, integral garages and private garden grounds and access. The master bathrooms enjoy extensive views over the countryside and substantial natural light.
The external finishes in timber and render and simple and understated. A large glazed portico to the east and west also accommodates the stairwell circulation to the upper floor.
One of Aim’s earliest low energy designs, the White Dwelling was fully simulated in 3D, allowing detailed analysis of heat and energy flows in real time, and giving an accurate assessment of the building’s energy performance as part of an iterative design process. The layout is arranged around a large, South facing, central living area to meet the owner’s stipulation of a corridor free home, whilst maintaining liveability and low energy costs.
The envelope is airtight and super-insulated with recycled newspaper and fibre board. Mechanical heat recovery ventilation is fed from an underground source, and under floor heating and hot water is supplied from a ground source heat pump. Summertime cooling is provided by the underground source ventilation and high level opening devices.
All systems and materials were based on Passive House principles and the Green Guide to Specification.
