Highland Housing Alliance

First prices for Expo homes revealed

Press release 26 August 2010.

Scotland’s Housing Expo, the first event of its kind in Scotland is showcasing more than 50 house designs of the future until 31st August – homes which will form a permanent community on the site. 

The Highland Housing Alliance is selling 24 of the 52 homes which have been exhibited at the Expo, and viewed by over 22,000 visitors so far. Over the past five years, the Alliance has put in place the crucial site development and build elements of the project, with the contractors and architect teams, to deliver more than 50 innovative, sustainable homes.

Susan Torrance chief executive of the Highland Housing Alliance said: “We are delighted to announce the first phase of house prices. We have had very strong interest in the properties during the Expo. Interested buyers can visit the sales team at the Rettie & Co office at Plot 2.1.

“These are unique architect designed properties – encompassing terraced, semi detached and detached properties offering people at all life’s stages the opportunity to be part of a unique new community. Each property offers great value for money and feature eco friendly materials which will prove in time to save money on energy bills and reduce the carbon footprint of family living. I look forward to seeing people and families move into the properties and enjoy them as real homes as well as architectural landmarks.”

Highland Housing Alliance homes released for sale are:

Plot 7 – Guide Price: £300,000. Designed by David Somerville House No 7 is a superb copper fronted three bedroom, detached house and office full of warmth and light which uses the structure of the house to absorb and store the free heat which builds internally. It is constructed of double dense block wall with fully filled cavity masonry internal walls and engineered joist roof with 300mm insulation.

Plot 9.2 – Guide Price: £220,000 (Price includes IKEA furnishings throughout.)
Designed by Graham Mitchell Architects, Three on Nine is a mid terrace 3 bedroom, 1 public room home. Simple environmental strategies provide well-lit, healthy spaces incorporating a system of water recycling, heat recovery, solar water heating and air source heat pumps. The house is constructed of highly insulated timber frame on solid insulated floor construction.

Plot 17 – Offers Over £300,000. Designed by Rural Design Architects The Secret Garden is a 3 bedroom, 3 public room, detached house which reinterprets traditional highland houses and gardens; and reinforces the role that outside space can play in a modern sustainable lifestyle. It is constructed of timber frame with I-joists and insulation up to 350mm thick.

Plot 18 – Offers Over £350,000. Designed by Brennan & Wilson Architects, The Whole Life House is designed for long term use by all the family. This 3 bedroom (with potential for 4), detached house changes and adapts to the complex ways that families now live and work. It features 3 public rooms (including a sunspace). It is constructed with timber kit and is finished with Scottish larch cladding and render and zinc metal sheeting to the roof. The design features, highly insulation, thermal mass floor, solar panels, zoned heating, and passive solar gain.

Plot 26.1 – Guide Price: £230,000. Designed by Studio Kap, The Hardcore Soft House is a three bedroom, two public, semi-detached home planned around south facing gardens with galleries above. It is constructed from a timber clad highly insulated timber frame, while a central masonry core houses and passively recovers energy from the daily activities of cooking and bathing.

Becky Lindsay, director of new homes sales and marketing of Rettie & Co said: “The development will appeal to all ages from first time buyers, to families and downsizers and each property offers the potential buyer the opportunity to live in unique, architect designed homes. Today’s buyers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and the focus on sustainable design and energy efficient living has generated high levels of interest during the Expo.”

Rettie sales office is open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm located at Plot 2.1 or by appointment by telephoning: 0845 220 6565 or by emailing: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Issued on behalf of the Highland Housing Alliance by Skylark Public Relations. For further information email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editors notes:
The Highland Housing Alliance is a unique development company owned by five housing associations working in Highland, two housing trusts and The Highland Council. It was chosen by The Highland Council in 2005 to work on Scotland’s Housing Expo project because of its ability to deliver affordable and private housing and has been the company responsible for building the architects’ winning designs. The Expo is based on similar models found in mainland Europe, particularly Finland, where historically the housing fair concept has proven very successful in stimulating quality design and innovation for housing. The Scottish Government is supporting the project and up to 400 people have been employed on site in the lead-up to the event.