At the top of the tree

An imaginative modern house in Dundee that makes the very most of its West End site also offers wonderful views of the Tay, Fife and the Sidlaws. Helen Brown took a look round the brilliantly-located Tree Tops, its contemporary features and eminently usab

TREE TOPS was built just over 20 years ago to a particularly high specification, a collaboration between owner Mr Graham Giblen of the award-winning construction firm G&K Ltd and architect Mark Wilson, of Architectus. Having restored and built a huge range of properties over his time in business, Mr Giblen and his wife knew exactly what they wanted of a place they initially didn’t plan to live in themselves but that eventually became the family home.

It offers a tempting combination of safety and security, with access and amenities in abundance. Mr Giblen explained: “When we sold our previous house, we moved in for what was going to be a short time but liked it so much that we stayed for 20 years.

“We’re very security conscious and it’s a feature of the house that, although it’s in a lovely West End street, we can see out but no-one can see in. The initial idea was a quality home in a good area, well situated for all kinds of transport, that could almost be lock-up-and-go for professional people or those who travel a lot.

“We also chose the materials to guard against aging — using good quality facing brick, rather than render, for example, which can discolour with time. At the time, nobody was particularly concerned about energy saving but we had 150ml insulation installed and even the electric garage door is insulated. There is also good-quality double glazing and bespoke, handmade hardwood windows and furnishings throughout. The electricity and gas bills definitely benefit from that.”

A contemporary house, Tree Tops also has a link to the best of the past. The roof is clad in 150-year-old Welsh slate, originally used in the former St Columba’s Church in Dundee.

The natural elements also play a major role in the life of this house. Making the most of the site, its location and outlook, were prime concerns.

Mr Giblen commented: “We had lived overseas for some time, in South Africa particularly, and we were keen to have plenty of light and space here. Being in construction, you are always on the lookout for an interesting site and although this wasn’t the easiest to deal with, being compact and on a slope, it offered so much in terms of the vista and brightness that could be brought into a well-planned design. Mark Wilson definitely knows how to get the most out of a site. When the weather is good, there is sunshine in the morning, afternoon and evening and it makes the most of the light, even on dull Scottish days!”

The house was extended in 1995 and is built over three floors, with the main rooms on the mid level. A secure entrance gate from the car port leads up a solid wooden stair to the higher-level decking with its river views and french doors leading into the front hallway. This has a tiled floor, fulllength windows and stairs to the upper and lower levels. There is no lawn to mow but there is attractive surrounding planting and a small, easily-maintained shrub garden.

The sitting and dining rooms are at the front of the house, with tiled floor, wood panelling to dado level and a full-height vaulted ceiling over the dining area. Behind this is a fully-fitted kitchen with breakfast bar, comprising Arthur Bonnet units and integrated NEFF appliances. The hallway also opens on to the living room, again with river outlook, with French doors to the decking area.

The bedrooms are airy, with enviable built-in storage and wardrobes and individual shower cubicles in several of the bedrooms. The master has fitted and walk-in wardrobes and there is also a steam cubicle with power shower — very relaxing at the end of a hectic day.

Mr Giblen added: “It’s a house we enjoyed creating and living in and one where any new owner would be able to sit back and take their time about deciding how to put their own stamp on it. An architect once gave me very good advice: move into your new home and give it a winter, then you’ll have seen it in all seasons and know how you can make the best of it.”