When Alan and Liz Davidson decided to move back to their hometown of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, they found the perfect renovation project nestled in the seaside village of Cowie. A former telephone repeater station, Scarth Craig was in need of some serious restoration, but its immense potential meant the couple were sold.
A stunning example of Streamline Moderne – an international style of Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s – the building, originally built in 1952, comprised a main square block with two lesser height and smaller rectangular wings. With the clients keen on bringing these elements together to create a unique family home, the property’s transformation started with award-winning architectural practice Roundhouse Architecture.
Briefed to create something simple, which hinted towards the building’s existing Art Deco style and emphasised its curved forms, Norman McIntosh, Chartered Architectural Technologist and Director with Roundhouse Architecture, designed an extension, including a second storey and a large balcony that takes advantage of the sea views.
The design included four different roof areas, two new and two existing that were in need of refurbishment. All the roofs were flat, with tapered insulation needed on the existing roofing in order to eliminate the need for a structural fall.
Both the existing and new roofs needed an aesthetically pleasing yet durable waterproofing solution to accommodate the design and ensure the building’s continued longevity.
The Chartered Architectural Technologist knew from the outset that Sika Sarnafil’s single ply membrane was the perfect solution. Speaking with Sarnafil’s technical team, a site visit was organised before the project began in order to ascertain the correct specification.
Sarnafil® G410 15ELF single ply membrane in lead grey was decided on and, as registered and approved Sika Sarnafil installers, specialist flat roofing contractors A & B Buchan Limited were then tasked with the job to fit the system.
Having worked with the product for over three decades, Buchan’s team were confident when it came to installation, noting that Sarnafil’s single ply is not very labour intensive to install compared to other roofing products.
Although a fairly straightforward job, because of the new build elements on the project, the roofing team had to change new outlets for a rainwater harvesting system. In addition, while there was the usual detailing to work around, one unusual aspect was the artificial grass installed on the balcony roof onto slabs, which needed proper protection installed underneath.
The various challenging aspects of the project were handled one at a time on a collaborative basis including the clients, the main contractor, supporting specialist contractors and the structural engineer. As a team, each problem was solved, and each element designed and implemented on site.
The result was a project delivered on time and to the client’s satisfaction,
with final inspections from Sarnafil resulting in a 15-year guarantee.